traction control BMW 335I SEDAN 2008 E90 Owner's Manual

At a glance
15Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1Microphone for voice command system*
and for telephone in hands-free mode*
2SOS: initiating an Emergency Request
call
*235
3Reading lamps99
4Glass roof/panorama glass roof
*39
5Interior lamps99
6Passenger airbag status lamp
*95
7Control Display16
8Hazard warning flashers
9DTC Dynamic Traction Control87
10Central locking system32
11Automatic climate control
12Ejecting audio CD156
13Changing
>Radio station160
>Track17014Selecting radio, CD and CD changer
15Selecting AM or FM waveband
16Ejecting navigation DVD128
18Controller16
Can be turned, pressed, or moved horizon-
tally in four directions
19Opening start menu on Control Display17
20Drive for navigation DVD128
21Programmable memory keys21
22Switching audio sources on/off and adjust-
ing volume156
23Drive for audio CD156 Air distribution to the
windshield101
Air distribution to the upper body
area101
Air distribution to the footwell101
Automatic air distribution and flow
rate102
Cooling function103
AUC Automatic recirculated-air
control102
Recirculated-air mode102
Maximum cooling102
Residual heat mode103
Air flow rate102
Defrosting windows103
Rear window defroster103
17
Heated seats*47
PDC Park Distance Control
*85
Sedan:
Roller sun blind
*109
HDC Hill Descent Control
*87

Controls
67Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Use good judgment to select the appro-
priate following distance given road con-
ditions, traffic, applicable laws and driving rec-
ommendations for safe following distance.
Otherwise, an accident risk could result.<
Deactivating cruise control
Press the lever upward or downward, arrow3.
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 idle in cars with manual transmission
>When you select the automatic transmis-
sion's neutral position N
>When you activate the Dynamic Traction
Control DTC
>When you deactivate the Dynamic Stability
Control DSC
>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 page68
>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.<
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 the 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 manual transmission: when you
shift gears very slowly or shift to idle posi-
tion
>In cars with automatic transmission: when
you engage selector lever position N
>When the ignition is switched off
Displays in the instrument cluster
1Stored desired speed
2Shows 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
3Selected distance to vehicle ahead
The indicator lights up as soon as the sys-
tem is activated.

Technology for driving comfort and safety
86 until "PDC" is selected and press the con-
troller.
6.Select "PDC display on" and press the con-
troller.
The PDC screen is activated.
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
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.<
Driving stability control
systems
Your BMW has a number of systems that help
to maintain the vehicle's stability even in
adverse driving conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
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 page122.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
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.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
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
safety margin again by taking risks, as this could
result in an accident.<

Controls
87Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Deactivating DSC
Press the button for at least 3 seconds; the indi-
cator lamps for DSC in the instrument cluster
light up. Dynamic Traction Control DTC and
DSC have been simultaneously deactivated.
Stabilizing and drive-output promoting actions
are no longer executed.
328i, 335i: 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 experi-
ence a significant loss of traction.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again
as soon as possible.
Activating DSC
Press the button again; the indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster go out.
For better control
If the indicator lamp flashes:
DSC controls the drive forces and
brake forces.
If the indicator lamps are on:
DSC is deactivated.
DTC Dynamic Traction Control
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 lamps for DTC in
the instrument cluster come on.
For better control
If the indicator lamp flashes:
DTC controls the drive forces and
brake forces.
If the indicator lamps are on:
DTC has been activated.
Deactivating DTC
Press the button again; the DTC indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster go out.
xDrive*
xDrive is your BMW's four-wheel-drive system.
The combined efforts of xDrive and DSC help to
further optimize traction and driving dynamics.
The xDrive four-wheel-drive system distributes
driving power variably to the front and rear axles
depending on the driving situation and road
conditions.
HDC Hill Descent Control*
HDC is a downhill driving assistant that controls
your speed on steep downhill gradients and
makes it even easier to control your BMW's
handling under these conditions. The vehicle

Mobility
217Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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 … 3006 means that the
tire was manufactured in week 30 of 2006.
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.<
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest, B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate 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, in
front of 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 0705

Reference 257
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control86
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control87
– indicator/warning lamp87
DVD for navigation128
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC86
"Dynamic route" in
navigation141
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC
– indicator/warning lamp87
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC
– indicator/warning lamp87
E
EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution86
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on the CD player156
Electrical malfunction
– door lock31
– driver's door31
– fuel filler door206
– glass roof40
– luggage compartment lid/
tailgate33
– panorama glass roof42
Electric seat adjustment44
Electric steering wheel lock
– with convenient access37
Electronic oil level check222
Emergency actuation,
automatic transmission,
refer to Overriding selector
lever lock60
Emergency operation
– fuel filler door, manual
release206
Emergency operation, refer to
Closing manually
– glass roof40
– panorama glass roof42
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock31Emergency release
– luggage compartment lid
from inside34
Emergency Request235
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance235
"Enabled services"202
"Enable services"203
"End call"189
Energy, saving
– saving fuel120
Energy-conscious driving,
refer to Energy Control72
Energy Control72
Engine
– breaking in120
– data242
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature72
– speed242
– starting57
– starting, convenient
access36
– switching off57
Engine compartment222
Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant224
Engine oil
– adding224
– BMW Maintenance
System226
– capacity246
– checking level222
– intervals between changes,
refer to Service
requirements76
"Engine oil level"223
Engine output, refer to Engine
data242
Engine speed, refer to Engine
data242
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine57
"Enter address"131
Entering a destination131
Entering a destination
country131
Entering a house number or
intersection133Entering an intersection132
Entering a street132
"Entertainment"156
Entry lamps, refer to Interior
lamps99
Environmentally friendly
driving, refer to Energy
Control72
"Equalizer", refer to Tone
control159
Equalizer, refer to Tone
control158
Error messages, refer to
Check Control81
"ESN"166
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control86
Event data recorders227
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system121
Expanding the cargo bay114
Exterior mirrors49
– adjusting49
– automatic dimming
feature50
– automatic heating49
– folding in and out49
External audio device110
External audio device, refer to
AUX-In port175
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing
away238
– for tying down loads124
F
Fader, tone control157
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control81
Failure of an electrical
consumer234
False alarm
– avoiding unintentional
alarm36
– switching off an alarm36

Reference 267
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
"Time / Date"79,80,81
"Time format"80
Timer, refer to Preselecting
switch-on times104
"Timer 2" for parked car
ventilation/heating105
"Timer 1" for parked car
ventilation/heating105
Tire inflation pressure208
– loss90,91
Tire pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor89
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM90
– resetting the system91
– system limitations90
– warning lamp92
Tire puncture, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor90
Tire Quality Grading217
Tires
– age217,218
– air loss92
– breaking in120
– changing, refer to Changing
wheels233
– condition218
– damage218
– inflation pressure208
– labels217
– minimum tread depth218
– new wheels and tires219
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor89
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM90
– puncture90
– replacing219
– Run-Flat219
– size217
– storage220
– tread depth218
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth218
– wheel/tire combination, refer
to Correct wheels and
tires219
– winter tires220TMC station, refer to Traffic
information147
"Tone"157
Tone in audio mode
– adjusting157
– middle setting159
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit228
"Top 8" for mobile phone190
Torque, refer to Engine
data242
Touch tone dialing192
Tow bar238
Tow fitting238
– screw thread238
Tow fittings for tow-starting
and towing away238
Towing237
– car with automatic
transmission237
– methods238
Towing and tow-starting237
Town/city for destination131
"Town / City" in destination
entry131
Tow rope239
Tow-starting237,239
"TPM"91
TPM, refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor90
Tracks
– random play sequence172
– sampling, Scan171
– searching for171
Track width, refer to
Dimensions243
Traction control, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control86
Traffic information for
navigation
– calling up148
– display on route map149
– during destination
guidance150
– switching on/off147
– symbols150
"Traffic Info settings"148Traffic jam
– displaying traffic
information147
– driving around150
Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic58
– manual transmission58
– overriding selector lever lock
for automatic transmission
with Steptronic60
Transmission interlock
– refer to Changing selector
lever position59
– refer to P Park59
Transporting children
safely52
Transport securing devices,
refer to Securing cargo124
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tire tread
218
Treble, refer to Treble and
bass157
Treble, tone control157
"Trip computer"74
Trip computer74
Trip-distance counter, refer to
Trip odometer71
"Triple turn signal"61
Triple turn signal activation61
Trip odometer71
Trunk, refer to Cargo bay114
Trunk lid33
Trunk lid, refer to Luggage
compartment lid/tailgate33
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions243
Turn signal indicators
– indicator/warning lamp12
– replacing bulbs231
– triple turn signal61
Turn signals60
Tying down loads, refer to
Cargo loading124