sensor BMW 3 SERIES 2009 Owners Manual
Page 13 of 268
At a glance
 11Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
8Instrument cluster 12
11 Ignition lock 53
12 Buttons on the steering wheel 14
Horn, the entire surface
15 Adjusting the steering wheel 48
17 Releasing the hood 211
18 Opening the tailgate/luggage compartment 
lid 30
7
Turn signals 57
High beams, headlamp flasher 92
Roadside parking lamps
*92
Computer 69
Settings and information about the 
vehicle 70
Instrument lighting 92
9 Windshield wipers 58
Rain sensor
*58
Sports Wagon:
Rear window wiper 59
10 Switching the ignition on/off and 
starting/stopping the engine
53
Telephone
*:
> Press: accepting and ending a 
call; dialing
* the selected 
phone number; redialing if no 
phone number is selected
> Press longer: redialing
Volume
Activating/deactivating voice acti-
vation system
*22
Changing radio station
Selecting music track
Scrolling through phone book and 
lists with stored phone numbers
Next entertainment source
Recirculated-air mode 96
13 Steering wheel heating
*48
16 Cruise control
*59
Active cruise control
*61
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Page 35 of 268
Controls
 33Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Press the window shut to close it.Make sure that the corners of any pointed 
or sharp-edged cargo are padded if they 
could bump against the  rear window while the 
vehicle is in motion, otherwise the heating ele-
ments of the rear window could be damaged. <
Alarm system*
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the luggage com-
partment lid/tailgate is opened
> To movements inside the vehicle: Interior 
motion sensor, refer to page 33
> When the car's inclination changes, for 
instance if an attempt is  made to jack it up 
and steal the wheels or to raise it prior to 
towing away
> When there is an interruption in the power 
supply from the battery
The alarm system signals unauthorized entry 
attempts for a short time by means of:
> An acoustic alarm
> Switching on the haza rd warning flashers
> Flashing the high beams
Arming and disarming
When you lock or unlock the vehicle, either with 
the remote control or at the door lock, the alarm 
system is armed or disarmed at the same time.
You can open the luggage compartment lid/tail-
gate even when the alarm system is armed, by 
pressing the   button on the remote control, 
refer to page 28. The lid is locked and moni-
tored again as soon as you close it.
Panic mode*
You can trigger the alarm system if you find 
yourself in a dangerous situation:
Press the   button for at least three seconds.
To switch off the alarm: press any button.
Switching off an alarm
> Unlock the car with the  remote control, refer 
to page 27.
> Insert the remote control all the way into the 
ignition lock.
Indicator lamp displays
>The indicator lamp un der the inside rear-
view mirror flashes continuously: the sys-
tem is armed.
> The indicator lamp flashes after locking: 
doors, hood, luggage compartment lid/tail-
gate or rear window are not properly closed. 
Even if you do not close the alerted area, the 
system begins to monitor the remaining 
areas, and the indicator lamp flashes con-
tinuously after approx. 10 seconds. The 
interior motion sensor and the tilt alarm 
sensor are not activated.
> The indicator lamp goes out after unlocking: 
your vehicle has not been disturbed while 
you were away.
> If the indicator lamp  flashes after unlocking 
until the remote control is inserted in the 
ignition, but for no longer than approx. 
5 minutes: your vehicle has been disturbed 
while you were away.
Tilt alarm sensor
The tilt of the vehicle is monitored. The alarm 
system reacts, e.g. to attempts to steal a wheel 
or tow the vehicle.
Interior motion sensor
In order for the interior  motion sensor to func-
tion properly, the windows and glass roof must 
be completely closed
*.
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Page 36 of 268
Opening and closing
34
Avoiding unintentional alarms
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor 
may be switched off at the same time. This pre-
vents unintentional alarms, e.g. in the following 
situations:
>In duplex garages
> During transport on car-carrying trains, 
boats/ships or on a trailer
> When animals are to remain in the vehicle
Switching off tilt alarm sensor and 
interior motion sensor
Press the   button on the remote control 
again as soon as the vehicle is locked.
The indicator lamp light s up briefly and then 
flashes continuously. The tilt alarm sensor and 
the interior motion sensor  are switched off until 
the next time the vehicle is unlocked and subse-
quently locked again.
Convenient access*
Convenient access enables you to enter your 
vehicle without needing to  hold the remote con-
trol in your hand. All you  need to do is wear the 
remote control close to your body, e.g. in your 
jacket pocket. The vehicle detects the corre-
sponding remote control within the immediate 
vicinity or in the passenger compartment.
Convenient access supports the following 
functions:
> Unlocking/locking the vehicle
> Unlocking the luggage compartment lid/
tailgate separately
> Engine starting
> Convenient closure
Functional requirement
>The vehicle or the luggage compartment 
lid/tailgate can only  be locked when the 
vehicle detects that th e remote control cur-
rently in use is ou tside of the vehicle.
> The vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked 
again until after approx. 2 seconds. >
The engine can only be started when the 
vehicle detects that th e remote control cur-
rently in use is  inside the vehicle.
Comparison to the standard remote 
control
In general, there is no difference between using 
convenient access or pressing the buttons on 
the remote control to  carry out the functions 
mentioned above. You should therefore first 
familiarize yourself with the instructions on 
opening and closing starting on page 26.
Special features regarding the use of conve-
nient access are described below. If you notice a brief delay while opening or 
closing windows or the glass roof/pan-
orama glass roof, the system is checking 
whether a remote control  is inside the vehicle. 
Please repeat the opening or closing proce-
dure, if necessary. <
Unlocking
Grasp the handle on the driver's or front pas-
senger's door completely, arrow  1. This corre-
sponds to pressing the  button.
Locking
Touch the surface, arrow  2, with your finger for 
approx. 1 second. This corresponds to pressing 
the button.
To preserve the battery, please make 
sure that the ignition  and all electrical 
consumers are switched off before locking the 
vehicle. <
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Page 60 of 268
Driving
58
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.
iDrive, for operating pr inciple refer to page16.
1. "Settings"
2. "Lighting"
3. "Triple turn signal"
 Triple turn signal acti vation is activated and 
is stored for the remote control currently in use.
Wiper system
1 Switching on wipers
2 Switching off wipers or brief wipe
3 Activating/deactivating intermittent wipe or 
rain sensor
*
4Cleaning windshield and headlamps*
5Setting speed for intermittent wipe, or sen-
sitivity of the rain sensor
Switching on wipers
Press the lever upward, arrow  1.
The lever automatically retu rns to its initial posi-
tion when released.
Normal wiper speed
Press once.
The system switches to operation in the inter-
mittent mode when the vehicle is stationary.
Fast wiper speed
Press twice or press beyond the resistance 
point. 
The system switches to normal speed when the 
vehicle is stationary.
Intermittent wipe or rain sensor*
If the car is not equipped with a rain sensor, the 
intermittent-wipe time is a preset.
If the car is equipped with a rain sensor, the time 
between wipes is contro lled automatically and 
depends on the intensity of  the rainfall. The rain 
sensor is mounted on the  windshield, directly in 
front of the interior rearview mirror.
Activating intermitte nt wipe or rain 
sensor
Press the button, arrow 3. The LED in the but-
ton lights up.
Setting speed for inte rmittent wipe or 
sensitivity of the rain sensor
Turn knurled wheel 5 up or down.
Deactivating intermit tent wipe or rain 
sensor
Press the button again, arrow 3. 
The LED goes out.
Deactivate the rain  sensor before enter-
ing an automatic car wash. Failure to do 
so could result in damage caused by undesired 
wiper activation. <
Cleaning windshield and headlamps*
Pull the lever, arrow  4.
Washer fluid is sprayed onto the windshield and 
the wipers are operated for a short time.
When the vehicle lighting system is switched 
on, the headlamps are cleaned at regular and 
appropriate intervals.
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Page 65 of 268
Controls
 63Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
the maximum speed of 110 mph or 
180 km/h is achieved.
The speed then displayed is stored and 
achieved on a clear road.
Decreasing  desired speed
Pull the lever, arrow  2, until the desired speed is 
displayed.
The other functions work  analogously to those 
described under Increasing desired speed.
Selecting distance
> Press downward: 
Increase distance.
> Press upward: 
Decrease distance.
The selected distance is  displayed in the instru-
ment cluster. Use good judgment to select the appro-
priate following dist
ance given road con-
ditions, traffic, applicab le laws and driving rec-
ommendations for safe following distance. 
Otherwise, an accident risk could result. <
Deactivating cruise control
Press the lever upward or downward, arrow 3. 
The displays on the speedometer disappear.
In addition, the system  is automatically deacti-
vated:
> When you brake the vehicle
> When the speed is reduced to below 
20 mph or 30 km/h due to a traffic situation
> When you switch gears very slowly or shift 
to neutral in cars wi th a manual transmis-
sion
> When you engage select or lever position N 
in cars with an automatic transmission
> When you activate the DTC Dynamic Trac-
tion Control
> When you deactivate the DSC Dynamic 
Stability Control
> When DSC or ABS is intervening
> When the system does not recognize any 
objects for a longer period of time, e.g. on 
infrequently traveled roads without a shoul-
der or guard rails, or if  the radar sensor is 
covered with dirt, refer to page 64
> When you apply the parking brake
When the system is deactivated, you 
must brake the vehicle yourself and/or 
maneuver as necessary, otherwise there is a 
risk of accident. <
Distance 1
Distance 2
Distance 3
Distance 4 
This distance is always set when 
the system is used for the first 
time after starting the engine. 
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Page 66 of 268
Driving
64
Warning lamp
The warning lamp comes on when 
active cruise control has been auto-
matically deactivated due to a driving 
speed below 20 mph or 30 km/h, an application 
of the parking brake or  a DSC intervention. A 
message appears on the Control Display.
Resuming stored  desired speed and 
distance
Briefly press th e button, arrow  4. 
The stored speed and distance are regained 
and maintained.
In the following instances, the stored speed is 
deleted and can no longer be resumed:
> When driving stability control systems are 
intervening
> In cars with a manual transmission: when 
you switch gears very slowly or shift to neu-
tral
> In cars with an automatic transmission: 
when you engage selector lever position N
> When the ignition is switched off
Displays in the instrument cluster
1Stored desired speed
2 Shows yellow: vehicle detected ahead
Flashes in red: system  cannot maintain dis-
tance; driver must brake the vehicle
Flashes in yellow: driving stability control 
systems are intervening; cruise control is 
deactivated
3 Selected distance to vehicle ahead
The indicator lights up  as soon as the sys-
tem is activated. 4
Selected desired spee d is temporarily dis-
played
If --- mph or --- km/h temporarily appears 
in the instrument cluster display, it is pos-
sible that the system prerequisites for operation 
are currently not met. Calling up Check Control 
messages, refer to page 76.<
Warning lamps
The indicator 2 flashes in red; a 
signal sounds. 
The system indicates that you 
must brake and/or maneuver the 
vehicle yourself. Active cruise con-
trol cannot automatically  restore the distance to 
the vehicle ahead. 
This indicator does not release you from your 
responsibility to adapt your desired speed and 
driving style to prevailing driving conditions.
The indicator 2  flashes in yellow. 
The prerequisites for operating 
active cruise control are not met, 
e.g. as a result of ABS or DSC 
interventions. Active cruise control 
is deactivated. You can re activate the system, if 
desired, by tapping or pulling the lever when 
road and traffic conditions permit. It is not pos-
sible to resume a stored speed.
Radar sensor
The sensor's ability to  detect vehicles ahead 
may be restricted as a result of heavy rain, dirt, 
snow or ice. If necessary, clean the radar sensor 
located in the front bump er, see arrow. Be sure 
to use particular care when removing any layers 
of snow or ice from the sensor.
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Page 67 of 268
Controls
 65Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
When the radar sensor is not properly posi-
tioned, active cruise control cannot be activated 
at all.Malfunction
The warning lamp comes on when 
the system has failed. A message 
appears on the Control Display. You 
can find more information starting on page 75.
System limitations
Always remember that the range and abil-
ity of the system does have physical limi-
tations. It will not apply  the brakes or decelerate 
your vehicle when there is a slow-moving vehi-
cle, stopped vehicle or stationary object ahead 
of you, as for example, at a traffic light or a 
parked vehicle. Also, the system does not react 
to oncoming traffic, pe destrians or other types 
of potential traffic such as a rider on horseback. 
It is also possible th at the system may not 
detect smaller moving objects such as motor-
cycles or bicycles. Be especially alert when 
encountering any of these situations as the sys-
tem will neither automatically brake, nor provide 
a warning to you. Also, be aware that every 
decrease in the distance setting allows your 
vehicle to come closer to a vehicle in front of 
you and requires a heightened amount of alert-
ness. <
Active cruise control is not and must not 
be used as a collision avoidance/warning 
system. <
If while your vehicle is actively following a vehi-
cle in front of you and the vehicle ahead speeds 
up or the lane ahead becomes clear, then your 
vehicle will accelerate  to the speed you have 
selected. Be aware that changing to a clear, 
unobstructed lane will also result in your vehicle 
accelerating. Be certain to deactivate the system when 
you pull into an exit lane for a highway off-
ramp. <
Also, vehicles traveling in a staggered manner 
on a highway may cause a delay in the system's 
reaction to a vehicle in  front of you or may cause 
the system to react to a  vehicle actually in the 
lane next to you. Always  be ready to take action 
or apply the brak es if necessary.
While active cruise control is capable of 
braking your vehicle  automatically when 
you approach a slower vehicle ahead, it is 
important to be aware that the ability of the sys-
tem to apply the brakes is also limited, e.g. 
when you reduce your  desired speed sharply. 
The system cannot stop your vehicle. It uses 
only a portion of brakin g system capacity and 
does not utilize the full capacity of the vehicle 
braking system. Therefore, the system cannot 
decrease your speed for large differences in 
speed between your vehicle and the vehicle 
ahead. Examples: when you approach a vehicle 
traveling at a much lower speed than your own 
speed such as approachin g a toll booth or when 
a much slower vehicle cuts in front of you at 
close range. <
Active cruise control ca n only decelerate the 
vehicle to approx. 20 mph or 30 km/h.
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Page 82 of 268
Technology for driving comfort and safety
80
Technology for driving comfort and safety
Park Distance Control PDC*
The concept
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 either 
bumper.
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.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate 
objects when they are approached 
slowly, as is usually th e case when parking. 
Avoid approaching an object at high speed, oth-
erwise physical circumstances may lead to the 
system warning being issued too late. <
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 or move the 
automatic transmission selector lever to 
position R. Wait this short period before driving.
Switching off automatically
After approx. 165 ft/50 m of driving or above 
approx. 20 mph/approx. 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 an d object decreases, 
the intervals betwee n 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.
An interval tone is interrupted after approx. 
3seconds >
if you remain in front of an object that has 
been detected by only one of the corner 
sensors
> if you are driving parallel to a wall.
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.
To avoid this problem, keep the sensors clean 
and free of ice or snow in order to ensure that 
they will continue to op erate 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 with visual warning
The approach of the vehicle to an object is 
shown on the Control Display. Objects that are 
farther away are displayed on the Control Dis-
play before a signal to ne sounds. The display 
appears on the Control Di splay as soon as PDC 
is activated.
System limitations
Even with PDC, final responsibility for 
estimating the distance between the 
vehicle and any obstructions always remains 
with the driver. Even when sensors are pro-
vided, there is a blind sp ot 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 traile r 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 af ter 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 
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Page 96 of 268
Climate
94
Climate
1Airflow directed toward the windshield and 
side windows
2 Air to the upper body area 
Draft-free ventilation 97
3 Air to the footwell
4 Air distribution, manual
5 Temperature adjustment, left-hand side of 
passenger compartment
6 Maximum cooling
7 AUTO program
8 Air flow rate, manual
9 Automatic recirculated-air control AUC/
Recirculated-air mode 10
Temperature adjustment, right-hand side 
of passenger compartment
11 Residual heat
12 Defrosting windows and removing conden-
sation
13 Switching cooling func tion on/off manually
14 Rear window defroster
15 Air grill for interior temperature sensor – 
please keep clear and unobstructed
The current setting for the air distribution is dis-
played on the Control Display, refer to page 95.
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Page 98 of 268
Climate
96
You can reactivate the 
automatic mode for the 
air flow rate with the AUTO button.
The air flow rate may be reduced or the blower 
may be switched off entire ly to save on battery 
power. The display remains the same.
Switching the system on/off
With the blower at its lowest setting, press the 
left side of the button  to switch off the auto-
matic climate control. All displays are cleared 
except for the rear window defroster if it is 
switched on.
Press any button except REST or rear window 
defroster to reactivate  the automatic climate 
control.
The recirculated-air mo de is switched on 
when you switch off the automatic cli-
mate control. If the air qu ality deteriorates or the 
window fogs over, switch the system back on 
and increase the air volume.<
Automatic recirculated-air control 
AUC/Recirculated-air mode
Switch on the desired operating 
mode by pressing this button 
repeatedly:
> LED off: outside air flows in continuously.
> Left-hand LED on, AUC mode: a sensor 
detects pollutants in the outside air. If nec-
essary, the system blocks the supply of out-
side air and recirculates the inside air. As 
soon as the concentration of pollutants in 
the outside air has decreased sufficiently, 
the system automatically  switches back to 
outside air supply.
> Right-hand LED on, recirculated-air mode: 
the supply of outside air is permanently 
shut off. The system then recirculates the 
air currently within the vehicle.
If condensation star ts to form on the 
inside window surfaces during operation 
in the recirculated-air  mode, you should switch 
it off while also increasi ng the air flow rate as 
required. 
The recirculated-air mode should not be used 
over an extended period of time, otherwise the  air quality inside the ca
r will deteriorate contin-
uously. <
Residual heat
The heat stored in the engine is 
used to heat the passenger com-
partment, e.g. while stopped at a 
school to pick up a child.
The function can be switched on when the fol-
lowing conditions are met:
> Up to 15 minutes after  the engine has been 
switched off
> While the engine is  at operating tempera-
ture
> As long as battery voltage is sufficient
> At an outside temperature below 77 7/
25 6
The LED is lit when the function is on.
As of radio readiness,  you can set the interior 
temperature, the air flow rate and the air distri-
bution.
Defrosting window s and removing 
condensation
Quickly removes ice and conden-
sation from the windshield and 
front side windows.
Switch on the cooling function as well.
Switching cooling function on/off
The cooling function cools and 
dehumidifies the incoming air 
before reheating it as required, 
according to the temp erature setting. This 
function is only availa ble while the engine is 
running.
The cooling function helps prevent condensa-
tion on the windows or removes it quickly.
Depending on the weathe r, the windshield may 
fog over briefly when the engine is started.
Pressing the AUTO button automatically 
switches on the cooling function.
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