traction control BMW 128I CONVERTIBLE 2008 E88 Owner's Manual

At a glance
15Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1Coupe: microphone for voice command
system
* and for telephone in hands-free
mode
*
Convertible: microphone on steering col-
umn
2SOS: initiating an Emergency Request
call
*229
3Reading lamps
*96
4Coupe: glass roof, electric
*39
5Interior lamps95
6Passenger airbag status lamp90
7Control Display16
8Dynamic Traction Control DTC83
9Hazard warning flashers
10Central locking system32
11Automatic climate control
12Ejecting audio CD15013Changing
>Radio station150
>Track150
14Selecting radio, CD and CD changer
15Selecting AM or FM waveband
16Ejecting navigation DVD
18Controller16
Can be turned, pressed, or moved horizon-
tally in four directions
19Opening start menu on Control Display17
20Drive for navigation DVD
*122
21Programmable memory keys21
22Switching entertainment audio sources on/
off and adjusting volume150
23Drive for audio CD163 Air distribution to the
windshield98
Air distribution to the upper body
area98
Air distribution to the footwell98
Automatic air distribution and flow
rate99
Cooling function100
Automatic recirculated-air control
AUC99
Recirculated-air mode99
Maximum cooling98
Residual heat mode100
Air flow rate99
Defrosting windows100
Rear window defroster100
17
Heated seats*49
Convertible: opening the convert-
ible top41
Convertible: closing the convertible
top41

Technology for driving comfort and safety
82 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. Loud sound sources out-
side or inside the car can drown out the PDC
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 page116.
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
safety margin again by taking risks, as this could
result in an accident.<

Controls
83Reference
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.
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 lamps for
DSC in the instrument cluster go out.
For better control
If the indicator lamp flashes:
DSC is regulating the drive and braking
forces.
If the indicator lamps are on:
DSC is deactivated.
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 lamps for DTC in
the instrument cluster come on.
For better control
If the indicator lamp flashes:
DTC is regulating the drive and braking
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.
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

Wheels and tires
208
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 … 0708 means that the
tire was manufactured in week 7 of 2008.
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 0708

Mobility
211Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Recommended tire brands
Certain makes of tire are recommended by
BMW for each tire size. They are marked with a
clearly visible BMW designation on the sidewall
of the tire.
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 use in cold
winter driving conditions. Although all-season
M+S tires provide better winter traction than
summer tires, they generally 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
page82.<

Everything from A - Z
248 "Delete address book" in
navigation133
"Delete all numbers" on the
mobile phone185
"Delete data" in
navigation133
"Delete" for mobile
phone185
Destination address
– deleting133
– entering123,127
Destination for navigation
– destination list130
– entry123
– home address133
– manual entry123,127
– selecting from address
book132
– selecting using
information129
– selecting via language127
– selecting via map128
– storing131
Destination guidance136
– canceling voice
instructions54
– changing specified
route134
– displaying route137
– distance and arrival136
– starting136
– terminating/continuing136
– voice instructions140
– volume of voice
instructions140
Destination list for navigation
system130
Destinations recently driven
to130
"Details" for audio mode171
"Dial" for mobile phone183
"Dial number"183
Differential, breaking in114
Digital clock67
Digital compass105
Digital radio, refer to High
Definition Radio157
Digital Versatile Disc, refer to
– Drive for navigation DVD150Dimensions237
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals62
Direction instructions, refer to
Voice instructions140
Directory for navigation, refer
to Address book131
Displacement, refer to Engine
data
236
"Display"20
Display, refer to Control
Display16
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting95
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster12
Displays and controls10
"Display settings"80
Disposal
– of coolant216
– remote control battery37
– vehicle battery227
Distance, refer to
Computer69
Distance remaining to service,
refer to Service
requirements72
"Distance to dest."70
Distance to destination, refer
to Computer69
Distance warning, refer to
Park Distance Control
PDC81
Door key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control28
Door lock32
Door lock, confirmation
signals31
"Door locks"30,32,73
Doors, emergency
operation32
DOT Quality Grades208
Draft-free ventilation100
Drinks holders, refer to Cup
holders107
Drive for navigation DVD150
Drive-off assistance, refer to
DSC82
Drive-off assistant83Driving around a traffic
congestion144
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams92
Driving notes114
Driving off on hills, refer to
Drive-off assistant83
Driving route, refer to
Displaying route137
Driving stability control
systems82
Driving through water116
Driving tips, refer to Driving
notes114
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function100
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control82
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control83
– indicator lamps83
DVD
– drive for navigation DVD150
DVD for navigation122
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC82
"Dynamic route" in
navigation134
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC82
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC
– indicator lamps83
E
EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution82
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on the CD player150
Electrical malfunction
– door lock32
– fuel filler door202
– glass roof40
– luggage compartment lid33
Electronic brake-force
distribution EBV82
Electronic oil level check213

Reference 257
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Temperature, setting for
automatic climate control98
Temperature display
– outside temperature67
– outside temperature
warning67
– setting the units71
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control65
"Text language", refer to
Language of Control
Display80
"Theater" for Tone
control152
Thigh support46
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center brake lamp226
Three-point safety belt51
Through-loading system108
Tilt alarm sensor35
Tilt function, passenger-side
mirror52
"Time / Date"75,76
"Time format"76
Timer, refer to Preselecting
switch-on times101
Tire inflation pressure204
– loss85,86
Tire pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor84
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM85
– resetting the system86
– system limitations85
– warning lamp87
Tire puncture, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor85
Tire Quality Grading208Tires
– age208,210
– air loss87
– breaking in114
– changing, refer to Changing
wheels226
– condition209
– damage209
– inflation pressure204
– labels208
– minimum tread depth209
– new tires210
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor84
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM85
– puncture85
– retreaded210
– Run-Flat Tires210
– size208
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth209
– winter tires211
Tires, FTM84
TMC station, refer to Traffic
information141
"Tone"151
Tone in audio mode
– adjusting151
– middle setting152
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit223
"Top 8" for mobile phone184
Torque, refer to Engine
data236
Touch tone dialing186
Tow bar232
Tow fitting231
Tow fittings for tow-starting
and towing away231
Towing231
– car with automatic
transmission231
– methods232
Towing and tow-starting231
Town/city for destination124
"Town / City" in destination
entry124Tow rope232
Tow-starting231
"TPM"86
TPM, refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor85
Tracks
– random play sequence166
– sampling, Scan165
– searching for165
Traction control, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC82
Traffic information for
navigation
– calling up142
– display on route map143
– during destination
guidance144
– switching on/off141
– symbols143
"Traffic Info settings"142
Traffic jam
– displaying traffic
information141
– driving around144
Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic60
– manual transmission60
Transporting children
safely55
Transport securing devices,
refer to Securing cargo
118
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tire tread209
Treble, refer to Treble and
bass151
Treble, tone control151
"Trip computer"70
Trip computer70
Trip-distance counter, refer to
Trip odometer67
"Triple turn signal"63
Triple turn signal activation63
Trip odometer67
Trunk, refer to Cargo bay
Trunk lid, refer to Luggage
compartment lid33