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EnglishCONTROLS -> Driving for your BMW 2 Series 2014-2021
Driving
CONTROLS
Driving
Ignition off
Steptronic transmission: press the start/stop but‐
ton again without pressing the brake pedal.
Vehicle equipment
This chapter describes all standard, country-spe‐
cific and special equipment available for the
model series. It may therefore describe equip‐
ment which is not installed in your vehicle, for ex‐
ample on account of the optional equipment se‐
lected or the country variant. This also applies to
safety-relevant functions and systems. Please
comply with the relevant laws and regulations
when using the corresponding functions and
systems.
Manual gearbox: press the start/stop button
again, do not press the clutch pedal.
All indicator lamps in the instrument cluster ex‐
tinguish.
To save battery power when the engine is off,
switch off the ignition and any unnecessary
power consumers.
Safety measures
When the ignition is switched off, the selector
lever will shift automatically to position P if it was
previously in position R, D or M/S.
Start/stop button
Principle
If the vehicle is stationary with the engine
switched off, the ignition switches off automati‐
cally under the following circumstances:
The ignition is switched on or off
and the engine is started by
pressing the start/stop button.
▷ When the vehicle is locked, even if the low-
beam headlights are switched on.
Steptronic transmission: the en‐
gine starts if the brakes are ap‐
▷ Shortly before the battery is discharged so
that an engine start remains possible.
plied when the start/stop button is pressed.
▷ When opening or closing the driver's door, if
the driver's seat belt is unfastened and the
low-beam headlights are switched off.
Manual gearbox: the engine starts if the clutch
pedal is pressed when pressing the start/stop
button.
▷ When the driver's seat belt is unfastened, if
the driver's door is opened and the low-beam
headlights switched off.
Ignition on
Steptronic transmission: press the start/stop but‐
ton again without pressing the brake pedal.
After some minutes without further operation,
the low-beam headlights are changed over to
side lights.
Manual gearbox: press the start/stop button, do
not press the clutch pedal.
All systems are operational.
Radio-ready state
General
In the radio-ready state, individual current con‐
sumers remain ready for operation.
Most of the indicator and warning lamps in the
instrument cluster are illuminated for different
lengths of time.
To save battery power when the engine is off,
switch off the ignition and any unnecessary
power consumers.
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Driving
CONTROLS
Activating
When the engine is running, press the start/stop
button.
WARNING
An unsecured vehicle can start moving and roll‐
ing away. There is a risk of accident. Before
leaving the vehicle, secure it to prevent it from
rolling away.
If engine is switched off and the ignition is
switched on: the system automatically activates
radio-ready state when the door is opened if the
lights are switched off or the daytime driving
lights are switched on.
Observe the following to ensure that the vehi‐
cle is secured against rolling away:
Radio-ready state remains active when ignition is
switched off automatically, such as for the
following reasons:
▷ Apply the parking brake.
▷ Turn the front wheels towards the kerb on
upward or downward gradients.
▷ When the driver's door is opened or closed.
▷ When the driver's seat belt is unfastened.
▷ Additionally secure the vehicle on upward
or downward gradients, for example with a
chock.
▷ When the low-beam headlights are automati‐
cally switched to side lights.
NOTE
Switching off automatically
Repeated start attempts or starting several
times in quick succession means that fuel is
not burned or is inadequately burned. The cata‐
lytic converter can overheat. There is a risk of
material damage. Avoid repeatedly starting in
quick succession.
The radio-ready state is automatically switched
off in the following situations:
▷ If the ignition is switched off manually with
the start/stop button.
▷ After approximately 8 minutes.
▷ When locking via the central locking system.
▷ Shortly before the battery is discharged so
that an engine start remains possible.
Diesel engine
With the engine cold and at temperatures below
0 ℃, 32 ℉ the starting operation can be delayed
slightly due to automatic preheating.
Engine start
Safety notes
DANGER
A Check Control message is shown.
Depending on the engine version, full drive
power may only be available a few minutes after
starting the engine. In this case, the vehicle will
not accelerate in the usual way.
A blocked exhaust pipe or inadequate ventila‐
tion can allow harmful exhaust fumes to enter
the vehicle. The exhaust fumes contain pollu‐
tants which are colourless and odourless. In en‐
closed spaces, exhaust fumes can also build up
outside the vehicle. There is a danger of fatal
injury. Keep the exhaust pipe clear and ensure
sufficient ventilation.
Petrol engine
Depending on the engine version, full drive
power may only be available approx. 30 seconds
after starting the engine. In this case, the vehicle
will not accelerate in the usual way.
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Driving
CONTROLS
Steptronic transmission
WARNING
Starting the engine
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Press the start/stop button.
An unsecured vehicle can start moving and roll‐
ing away. There is a risk of accident. Before
leaving the vehicle, secure it to prevent it from
rolling away.
The starting process is activated automatically
for a short time and stops as soon as the engine
starts.
Observe the following to ensure that the vehi‐
cle is secured against rolling away:
▷ Apply the parking brake.
▷ Turn the front wheels towards the kerb on
upward or downward gradients.
Manual gearbox
Starting the engine
1. Depress the brake pedal.
▷ Additionally secure the vehicle on upward
or downward gradients, for example with a
chock.
2. Press the clutch and engage idle position.
3. Press the start/stop button.
Steptronic transmission
Stopping the engine
The starting process is activated automatically
for a short time and stops as soon as the engine
starts.
1. With the vehicle at a standstill, engage selec‐
tor lever position P.
Stopping the engine
Safety notes
2. Press the start/stop button.
The engine is switched off.
The radio-ready state is switched on.
3. Apply the parking brake.
WARNING
Unsupervised children or pets in the vehicle
can set the vehicle in motion and endanger
themselves or other road users, for example by
the following actions:
Manual gearbox
Stopping the engine
1. Press the Start/Stop button when the vehicle
is at standstill.
▷ Pressing the start/stop button.
▷ Releasing the parking brake.
2. Engage first gear or reverse.
3. Apply the parking brake.
▷ Opening and closing doors or windows.
▷ Engaging selector lever position N.
▷ Operating vehicle equipment.
Auto Start Stop function
There is a risk of accidents or injury. Do not
leave children or pets unsupervised in the vehi‐
cle. When leaving the vehicle, take the vehicle
key with you and lock the vehicle.
Principle
The Auto Start Stop function helps you to save
fuel. The system stops the engine when station‐
ary, for example in a traffic jam or at traffic lights.
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Driving
CONTROLS
The ignition remains switched on. For driving off,
the engine starts automatically.
Functional limitations
The engine is not shut down automatically in the
following situations, for example:
General
▷ On steep downward gradients.
▷ Outside temperature too low.
Each time the engine is started via the start/stop
button, the Auto Start/Stop function is switched
to standby.
▷ High outside temperature and operation of
the automatic air conditioning.
The function is activated from a speed of
around 5 km/h, 3 mph.
▷ Interior not heated or cooled to the desired
temperature.
Depending on selected drive mode, the system
is activated or deactivated automatically.
▷ Engine is not yet at operating temperature.
▷ Sharp steering angle or steering operation.
▷ After reversing.
Stopping the engine
Operating requirements
▷ Where there is a risk of condensation when
the automatic air conditioning is switched on.
The engine is automatically shut down when sta‐
tionary under the following conditions:
▷ Vehicle battery is heavily discharged.
▷ At high altitudes.
Steptronic transmission:
▷ Bonnet is unlocked.
▷ Selector lever in selector lever position D.
▷ Park Assistant is activated.
▷ Stop-and-go traffic.
▷ Brake pedal remains pressed while the vehi‐
cle is at a standstill.
▷ Selector lever position in N, M/S or R.
▷ Use of fuel with high ethanol content.
▷ Driver's seat belt buckled or driver's door
closed.
Manual gearbox:
Engine start
For driving off, the engine automatically starts
under the following conditions:
▷ Gearbox in neutral and clutch pedal not
pressed.
▷ Driver's seat belt buckled or driver's door
closed.
▷ Steptronic transmission: by releasing the
brake pedal.
The air flow rate of the air conditioning system is
reduced when the engine is not running.
▷ Manual gearbox: by depressing the clutch
pedal.
After starting the engine, accelerate as normal.
Displays in the instrument cluster
The READY display in the revolu‐
tion counter indicates that the
Auto Start Stop function is ready
for automatic engine starting.
Safety function
After an automatic shut down, the engine will not
restart automatically, if one of the following con‐
ditions is met:
▷ Driver's seat belt unbuckled and driver's door
open.
The display indicates that the pre‐
conditions for an automatic en‐
gine stop are not met.
▷ Bonnet has been unlocked.
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CONTROLS
Several indicator lamps illuminate for various
lengths of time.
During an automatic engine stop, the engine
is started.
The engine can only be started using the start/
stop button.
The engine can be started or stopped only by
means of the start/stop button.
▷ The LED is extinguished: Auto Start Stop
function is activated.
Functional limitations
Even if you do not want to drive off, the engine
restarts automatically in the following situations:
Parking the vehicle during
automatic engine stop
With automatic engine stop, the vehicle can be
parked safely, for example in order to leave it.
▷ Very high temperature in the interior when
the cooling function is switched on.
▷ The driver applies lock to the steering wheel.
Steptronic transmission:
▷ Steptronic transmission: shift from selector
lever position D to N, R or M/S.
1. Press the start/stop button. The ignition is
switched off. The Auto Start Stop function is
deactivated.
▷ Steptronic transmission: shift from selector
lever position P to N, D, R or M/S.
▷ Vehicle starts to roll.
Selector lever position P is automatically en‐
gaged.
▷ Where there is a risk of condensation when
the automatic air conditioning is switched on.
2. Apply the parking brake.
Manual gearbox:
▷ Vehicle battery is heavily discharged.
▷ Very low temperature in the interior when the
heating is switched on.
1. Press the start/stop button. The ignition is
switched off. The Auto Start Stop function is
deactivated.
▷ Low brake vacuum, for example because the
brake pedal has been pressed a number of
times in succession.
2. Engage first gear or reverse.
3. Apply the parking brake.
Start engine as usual, using the start/stop button.
Manually deactivating/activating
the system
Automatic deactivation
In certain situations the Auto Start Stop function
is deactivated automatically for safety reasons,
for example if the absence of the driver is detec‐
ted.
Using the button
Malfunction
The Auto Start Stop function no longer shuts
down the engine automatically. A Check Control
message is shown. It is possible to keep driving.
Have the system checked by a Service Partner
of the manufacturer or another qualified Service
Partner or a specialist workshop.
Press the button.
▷ LED illuminates: Auto Start Stop function is
deactivated.
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Driving
CONTROLS
Releasing
Parking brake
Safety note
WARNING
An unsecured vehicle can start moving and roll‐
ing away. There is a risk of accident. Before
leaving the vehicle, secure it to prevent it from
rolling away.
Observe the following to ensure that the vehi‐
cle is secured against rolling away:
Pull up the lever a bit, press the button and guide
the lever down.
▷ Apply the parking brake.
▷ Turn the front wheels towards the kerb on
upward or downward gradients.
Turn indicators, high-beam
headlights, headlight
flasher
▷ Additionally secure the vehicle on upward
or downward gradients, for example with a
chock.
Turn indicator
Applying
The lever engages itself after pulling up.
Turn indicator in exterior mirror
Do not fold in the exterior mirrors while driving or
while operating the turn indicators or hazard
warning lights to ensure that the turn indicators
in the exterior mirrors are well recognisable.
The indicator lamp illuminates red. The
parking brake is engaged.
If it must be used while driving by way of excep‐
tion, slightly engage the parking brake while
pressing and holding the button.
Indicating
To avoid corrosion and one-sided braking effect,
slightly pull on the parking brake from time to
time when moving away, if traffic conditions al‐
low.
The brake lights do not illuminate when the park‐
ing brake is applied.
Press the lever beyond the resistance point.
Triple turn signal
Briefly press the lever up or down.
The turn indicator flashes three times.
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Driving
CONTROLS
This function can be enabled or disabled.
Via iDrive:
▷ High-beam headlights off/headlight flasher,
arrow 2.
1. "My Vehicle"
2. "Vehicle settings"
3. "Lights"
Wiper system
4. "Exterior lighting"
5. "One-touch turn signal"
6. Select the desired setting.
General
Do not use the wipers on a dry windscreen, oth‐
erwise the wiper blades will wear or become
damaged more quickly.
The setting is saved for the currently used pro‐
file.
Safety notes
Indicating a turn briefly
Press the lever as far as the resistance point and
hold it there for as long as you wish to indicate a
turn.
WARNING
If the wipers start moving when they are folded
away from the windscreen, parts of the body
may become trapped or the vehicle may be
damaged. There is a danger of injury or dam‐
age to property. Make sure that the vehicle is
switched off when the wipers are folded away
from the windscreen, and that the wipers are in
contact with the windscreen when switching
on.
Malfunction
If the indicator bulb flashes more rapidly than
usual, a turn indicator has failed.
When towing a trailer, the light might also indi‐
cate failure of one of the turn signal lights of the
trailer.
High-beam headlights, headlight
flasher
NOTE
If the wipers are frozen to the windscreen,
switching them on may cause the wiper blades
to tear off and the wiper motor to overheat.
There is a risk of material damage. Defrost the
windscreen before switching on the wipers.
Push the lever forwards or pull it back.
Switching on
▷ High-beam headlights on, arrow 1.
The high-beam headlights are illuminated
when the low-beam headlights are switched
on.
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CONTROLS
Press the lever upwards to the desired position.
▷ Rest position of the wipers, position 0.
sensor, the interval for the wiper operation is
specified.
▷ Intermittent operation or rain sensor, position
1.
Safety note
▷ Normal wiper speed, position 2.
NOTE
When the vehicle is at a standstill, the wipers
switch to intermittent operation.
In car washes, the wipers may inadvertently
start moving if the rain sensor is activated.
There is a risk of material damage. Deactivate
the rain sensor in car washes.
▷ Fast wiper speed, position 3.
When the vehicle is at a standstill, the wipers
switch to normal speed.
If a journey is interrupted with the wiper system
switched on: when the journey is resumed, the
wipers continue operating at the previously set
level.
Activating
Switching off and flick-wiping
Press the lever upwards once from the home po‐
sition, arrow 1.
Wiping is started.
The LED in the wiper lever is illuminated.
If there is frost, wiping may not start.
Press the lever down.
▷ To switch off: press lever downwards until
the home position is reached.
Deactivating
Press the lever back to the home position.
▷ To flick-wipe: press the lever downwards
from the home position.
The lever returns to the home position when
released.
Intermittent mode or rain sensor
Principle
The rain sensor automatically controls the wiper
operation depending on the level of rainfall.
General
The sensor is mounted on the windscreen, di‐
rectly in front of the rear-view mirror. Without rain
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CONTROLS
Setting the interval time or
sensitivity of the rain sensor
Cleaning the windscreen
Pull the lever.
Turn the knurled wheel to set the interval time or
sensitivity of the rain sensor.
Fluid from the washer fluid reservoir is sprayed
onto the windscreen and the wipers are operated
briefly.
Up: short interval or high sensitivity of the rain
sensor.
When the vehicle's lights are switched on, the
headlights are also cleaned simultaneously at
practical intervals.
Down: long interval or low sensitivity of the rain
sensor.
Windscreen washer jets
Both windscreen washer jets are automatically
heated when the ignition is switched on.
Windscreen and headlight
washer
Safety notes
Fold-out position of the wipers
Principle
In the fold-out position, the wipers can be folded
away from the windscreen.
WARNING
At low temperatures, the washer fluid can
freeze onto the windscreen and restrict visibil‐
ity. There is a risk of accident. Only use the
washer systems if there is no possibility of the
washer fluid freezing. Use antifreeze if required.
General
Helpful, for example for replacing the wiper
blades or folding them out in the event of frost.
NOTE
Safety notes
If the washer fluid reservoir is empty, the
washer pump cannot operate as intended.
There is a risk of material damage. Do not use
the washer system with the washer fluid reser‐
voir empty.
WARNING
If the wipers start moving when they are folded
away from the windscreen, parts of the body
may become trapped or the vehicle may be
damaged. There is a danger of injury or dam‐
age to property. Make sure that the vehicle is
switched off when the wipers are folded away
from the windscreen, and that the wipers are in
120
Driving
CONTROLS
contact with the windscreen when switching
on.
2. Switch on the ignition.
3. Press the wiper lever downwards. The wipers
move back to the rest position and are opera‐
tional once again.
NOTE
If the wipers are frozen to the windscreen,
switching them on may cause the wiper blades
to tear off and the wiper motor to overheat.
There is a risk of material damage. Defrost the
windscreen before switching on the wipers.
Washer fluid
General
All washer jets are supplied from one reservoir.
Use a mixture of tap water and screenwash con‐
centrate for the windscreen washer system, if
necessary with the addition of antifreeze.
Folding out the wipers
1. Switch the ignition on and back off again.
Recommended minimum fill level: 1 litre,
1.7 Imp. pints.
2. Press the wiper lever down and hold until the
wipers stop in an approximately vertical posi‐
tion.
Safety notes
WARNING
Some antifreezes can contain toxic substances,
and are flammable. There is a risk of fire and fa‐
tal injury. Please comply with the instructions
on the containers. Keep antifreezes away from
sources of combustion. Do not pour service
products into other bottles. Keep service prod‐
ucts out of the reach of children.
3. Lift the wipers completely away from the
windscreen.
WARNING
Washer fluid can ignite on contact with hot
parts of the engine and catch fire. There is a
danger of injury or damage to property. Only
top up washer fluid when the engine has
cooled down. Then fully close the cap of the
washer fluid reservoir.
Folding in the wipers
After folding the wipers in, the wiper system
must be reactivated.
1. Folding in the wipers completely onto the
windscreen.
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NOTE
Manual gearbox
Safety notes
WARNING
Silicone additives mixed with the washer fluid
for their water beading effect on the windows
may damage the washer system. There is a risk
of material damage. Do not add silicone addi‐
tives to the washer fluid.
An unsecured vehicle can start moving and roll‐
ing away. There is a risk of accident. Before
leaving the vehicle, secure it to prevent it from
rolling away.
NOTE
Mixing different screenwash concentrates or
antifreezes may damage the washer system.
There is a risk of material damage. Do not mix
different screenwash concentrates or antifree‐
zes. Please comply with the instructions and
mixing ratios stated on the containers.
Observe the following to ensure that the vehi‐
cle is secured against rolling away:
▷ Apply the parking brake.
▷ Turn the front wheels towards the kerb on
upward or downward gradients.
▷ Additionally secure the vehicle on upward
or downward gradients, for example with a
chock.
Overview
NOTE
When shifting into a lower gear, high engine
speeds can damage the engine. There is a risk
of material damage. Push the shift lever to the
right while shifting into the 5th or 6th gear.
Schematic diagram
The reservoir for the washer fluid is located in
the engine compartment.
Malfunction
Using undiluted screenwash concentrate or anti‐
freeze made of alcohol may result in false read‐
ings at low temperatures below -15 ℃/+5 ℉.
▷ 1 – 6: forward gears
▷ R: reverse gear
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CONTROLS
▷ Apply the parking brake.
Shifting gears
General
▷ Turn the front wheels towards the kerb on
upward or downward gradients.
Depending on the engine version, the engine
speed is automatically adjusted as required dur‐
ing a gear shift for a harmonious and dynamic
gear change.
▷ Additionally secure the vehicle on upward
or downward gradients, for example with a
chock.
Selector lever positions
D drive position
Selector lever position for all normal driving. All
gears for forward driving are selected automati‐
cally.
Reverse gear
Engage this position only when the vehicle is sta‐
tionary.
To overcome the resistance, move the shift lever
firmly to the left towards the left and engage the
reverse gear with a gear shift movement for‐
wards.
R Reverse
Only engage selector lever position R when the
vehicle is stationary.
Rolling or pushing the vehicle
In some situations, the vehicle is to roll without
its own power, for example in a car wash, or be
pushed.
N neutral
In selector lever position N, the vehicle can be
pushed or can roll without power form the en‐
gine, for example in car washes, see page 124.
1. Switch on the ignition.
2. Press the clutch and change out of a forward
gear or reverse.
P Park
3. Releasing the parking brake.
Selector lever position for parking the vehicle, for
example.
Steptronic transmission
In selector lever position P, the transmission
blocks the drive wheels.
Principle
The Steptronic transmission combines the func‐
tions of an automatic transmission with the op‐
portunity of changing gear manually if required.
Only engage selector lever position P when the
vehicle is stationary.
Selector lever position P is automatically en‐
gaged in the following situations, for example:
▷ After stopping the engine in the radio-ready
state, see page 112, or ignition off, see
page 112, when selector lever position R, D
or M/S is engaged.
Safety note
WARNING
▷ If, while the vehicle is at a standstill and selec‐
tor lever position D, M/S or R is engaged, the
driver's seat belt is unfastened, the driver's
door is opened and the brake pedal is not de‐
pressed.
An unsecured vehicle can start moving and roll‐
ing away. There is a risk of accident. Before
leaving the vehicle, secure it to prevent it from
rolling away.
Observe the following to ensure that the vehi‐
cle is secured against rolling away:
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▷ After switching off the ignition, if selector
lever position N is engaged.
point. The selector lever returns to the middle
position when released.
Engaging selector lever
positions
General
Apply the brakes until you are ready to drive off,
otherwise the vehicle will move when a drive po‐
sition is selected.
Operating requirements
Engaging selector lever position P
The selector lever will only move from position P
to another selector lever position when the en‐
gine is running and the brake pedal is depressed.
It may not be possible to move out of selector
lever position P until all technical requirements
are fulfilled.
Engaging selector lever positions D,
N, R
A selector lever lock prevents the following incor‐
rect operation:
Press button P.
▷ Inadvertent shifting to selector lever posi‐
tion R.
Rolling or pushing the vehicle
General
▷ Inadvertent change from selector lever posi‐
tion P to another selector lever position.
In some situations, the vehicle may need to be
rolled a short distance without power, for exam‐
ple in a car wash, or may need to be pushed.
1. Fasten the driver's seat belt.
2. Press and hold the button to cancel the se‐
lector lever lock.
Engaging selector lever position N
1. Start the engine with the brake pedal de‐
pressed.
2. If necessary, release the parking brake.
3. Depress the brake pedal.
4. Touch the selector lever lock and engage se‐
lector lever position N.
5. Stop the engine.
3. Briefly press the selector lever in the desired
direction, possibly overcoming a resistance
In this way the ignition remains switched on
and a Check Control message is displayed.
The vehicle can now roll.
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CONTROLS
The gear selected appears on the instrument
cluster, for example S1.
NOTE
The sport programme of the gearbox is activa‐
ted.
Selector lever position P is automatically en‐
gaged when the ignition is switched off. There
is a risk of material damage. Do not switch the
ignition off in car washes.
Exiting sport programme
Press the selector lever to the right.
D is shown in the instrument cluster.
Irrespective of the ignition status, the selector
lever position P is engaged automatically after
approximately 15 minutes.
Manual operation M/S
Principle
The gears can be changed manually in manual
operation.
If there is a fault, it may not be possible to
change the selector lever position.
Unlock the transmission lockout electronically if
necessary, see page 127.
Kick-down
Kick-down enables you to achieve maximum
performance.
Activating manual operation
1. Press the selector lever from selector lever
position D to the left, arrow 1.
Press the accelerator pedal down beyond the
regular full-throttle position; some resistance will
be felt.
Sport programme M/S
Principle
In the sport programme, the gear shift points and
gear shift times are configured for more sporty
driving. For example, the transmission shifts up
later and the gearshift times are shorter.
2. Press the selector lever forwards or pull it
backwards, arrows 2.
Activating the sport programme
Manual operation becomes active and the gear is
shifted.
The gear selected appears on the instrument
cluster, for example M1.
Shifting gears
▷ To shift down: press the selector lever for‐
wards.
▷ To shift up: pull the selector lever backwards.
In certain situations, the transmission continues
to shift automatically, for example when engine
speed limits are reached.
Press the selector lever out of selector lever po‐
sition D to the left.
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The gearbox reverts to automatic operation from
manual operation after a certain period of time of
moderate driving without acceleration or gear
shifts using the shift paddles.
Steptronic sport transmission:
preventing automatic upshift in
manual operation M/S
In manual operation M/S, the Steptronic Sport
transmission does not automatically shift up
when certain engine speed limits are reached, if
one of the following conditions is met:
With some gearbox versions it is possible to
change to automatic operation as follows:
▷ Pull and hold right shift paddle.
▷ Dynamic Stability Control DSC deactivated.
▷ Dynamic Traction Control DTC activated.
▷ SPORT+ activated.
▷ In addition to briefly pulling right shift paddle,
briefly pull left shift paddle.
Permanent manual operation
With a corresponding BMW M drive configura‐
tion, this function is active independently of the
above conditions.
In selector lever position S, operating a shift pad‐
dle causes the system to switch permanently to
manual operation (mode).
In addition, there is no down shift for kick-down.
In the corresponding gearbox version, operating
the kick-down and the left shift paddle at the
same time allows you to change down to the
lowest possible gear. This is not possible in a
brief change from selector lever position D to
manual operation M/S using the shift paddles.
Shifting gears
Exiting manual operation
Press the selector lever to the right.
D is shown in the instrument cluster.
▷ Change up: pull right shift paddle briefly.
▷ Change down: pull left shift paddle briefly.
Shift paddles
Principle
Shift paddles on steering wheel enable fast gear‐
shifting without taking hands off steering wheel.
▷ In the corresponding gearbox version, pulling
the left shift paddle for a long time allows you
to change down to the lowest possible gear.
The gear selected appears briefly on the instru‐
ment cluster, followed by the gear currently in
use.
General
Gearshift
Displays in the instrument
cluster
Gear shifting is only carried out if the engine
speed and vehicle speed are appropriate.
The selector lever position is dis‐
played, for example P.
Short-term manual operation
In selector lever position D, operating a shift pad‐
dle causes the system to switch to manual oper‐
ation temporarily.
126
Driving
CONTROLS
Unlocking the transmission
lockout electronically
Steptronic sport transmission:
Launch Control
General
Principle
Unlock the transmission lockout electronically to
manoeuvre the vehicle out of danger.
When the ambient conditions are dry, Launch
Control permits optimised acceleration on a road
surface that offers plenty of grip.
Unlocking is possible if the starter is able turn the
engine.
General
Before releasing the transmission lockout, apply
the parking brake to prevent the vehicle from roll‐
ing away.
Use of Launch Control causes premature com‐
ponent wear, as the function subjects the vehicle
to very high stresses and loads.
Engaging selector lever position N
1. Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Do not use Launch Control when running in, see
page 224.
To start with Launch Control, do not turn the
steering wheel.
2. Press the start/stop button. The starter must
be heard to start turning.
3. Press the button on the selector lever, ar‐
row 1, push the selector lever to selector
lever position N and hold it there, arrow N,
until selector lever position N is displayed in
the instrument cluster.
Operating requirements
Launch Control is available when the engine is at
operating temperature. The engine is at operat‐
ing temperature after an uninterrupted journey of
at least 10 km, 6 miles.
A Check Control message is shown.
Starting with Launch Control
With the engine running:
1.
Press the button or select Sport+
with Driving Experience Control.
TRACTION is displayed in the instrument
cluster and the DSC OFF indicator lamp is il‐
luminated.
2. Engage selector lever position S.
4. Release the selector lever.
3. Press the brake firmly with the left foot.
5. Release the brake as soon as the starter
stops.
4. Press the accelerator pedal down beyond the
resistance at the full-throttle position and
hold, kick-down.
6. Manoeuvre the vehicle out of danger and
then secure it against rolling away.
A flag symbol is shown in the instrument
cluster.
More information can be found in the Tow-start‐
ing and towing chapter.
5. The starting engine speed is adjusted. Re‐
lease the brake within 3 seconds.
127
Driving
CONTROLS
Using again during a journey
Once Launch Control has been used, the trans‐
mission requires approximately 5 minutes to cool
down before Launch Control can be used again.
Launch Control adapts to the ambient conditions
when used again.
After using Launch Control
To assist driving stability, reactivate Dynamic
Stability Control, DSC.
System limits
An experienced driver may be able to achieve
better acceleration values in DSC OFF mode.
128
