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EnglishCONTROLS -> Driving for your BMW 7 Series 2015-2021
Driving
CONTROLS
Driving
Vehicle features and
options
Auto Start/Stop function
Concept
This chapter describes all standard, country-spe‐
cific and optional features offered with the series.
It also describes features and functions that are
not necessarily available in your vehicle, e.g., due
to the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐
tems. When using these functions and systems,
the applicable laws and regulations must be ob‐
served.
The Auto Start/Stop function helps save fuel.
The system switches off the engine during a
stop, for instance in traffic congestion or at traffic
lights. Drive-ready state remains switched on.
The engine starts automatically for driving off.
General information
After each engine start using the Start/Stop but‐
ton, the Auto Start/Stop function is ready. The
function is activated from speeds of approx.
3 mph/5 km/h.
Start/Stop button
Depending on the selected driving mode, refer to
page 135, the system is automatically activated
or deactivated.
Concept
Pressing the Start/Stop button
switches drive-ready state on or
off, refer to page 43.
Engine stop
Drive-ready state is switched on
when you depress the brake
Functional requirements
pedal while pressing the Start/Stop button.
Steptronic transmission
Pressing the Start/Stop button again switches
drive-ready state back off and standby state, re‐
fer to page 43, is switched back on.
The engine is switched off automatically during a
stop under the following conditions:
▷ The selector lever is in selector lever position
D.
▷ The brake pedal remains pressed while the
vehicle is stationary or the vehicle is held by
Automatic Hold.
Driving away
1. Switch on drive-ready state.
2. Apply drive mode.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Drive away.
▷ The driver's safety belt is buckled or the driv‐
er's door is closed.
Manual engine stop
If the engine was not switched off automatically
when the vehicle stopped, the engine can be
switched off manually:
▷ Press the brake pedal forcefully again from
the current pedal position.
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Driving
CONTROLS
▷ Engage selector lever position P.
▷ The car's interior has not yet been heated or
cooled to the required level.
If all functional preconditions are fulfilled, the en‐
gine switches off.
▷ Where there is a risk of window condensation
when the automatic climate control is
switched on.
Air conditioner when the engine is
switched off
The air flow from the air conditioner is reduced
when the engine is switched off.
▷ Engine or other parts not at operating tem‐
perature.
▷ Engine cooling is required.
▷ The wheels are at a sharp angle or the steer‐
ing wheel is being turned.
Displays in the instrument cluster
▷ Vehicle battery is heavily discharged.
▷ At higher elevations.
General information
The display in the tachometer in‐
dicates that the Auto Start/Stop
function is ready for an Automatic
engine start.
▷ The hood is unlocked.
▷ The parking assistant is activated.
▷ Stop-and-go traffic.
▷ Selector lever position in N or R.
▷ After driving in reverse.
The display indicates that the
conditions for an automatic en‐
gine stop have not been met.
▷ Use of fuel with high ethanol content.
Starting the engine
Functional requirements
Steptronic transmission
Total time with switched-off engine
ECO PRO, refer to page 318,
driving mode: depending on the
vehicle equipment, the total time
that the engine has been
The engine starts automatically under the follow‐
ing preconditions:
▷ By releasing the brake pedal.
switched off using the Auto Start/
Stop function is displayed on an automatic en‐
gine stop.
▷ When Automatic Hold is activated: press the
accelerator pedal.
The total time is automatically reset every time
the vehicle is refueled.
Driving off
After the engine starts, accelerate as usual.
Functional limitations
The engine is not switched off automatically in
the following situations:
Safety mode
After the engine switches off automatically, it will
not start again automatically if any one of the fol‐
lowing conditions are met:
▷ In case of a steep downhill grade.
▷ Brake not engaged strongly enough.
▷ The driver's safety belt is unbuckled and the
driver's door is open.
▷ The external temperature is high and auto‐
matic climate control is running.
▷ The hood was unlocked.
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CONTROLS
Some indicator lights light up for a varied length
of time.
The function may be restricted if the navigation
data is invalid, outdated or not available, for ex‐
ample.
The engine can only be started via the Start/Stop
button.
Activating/deactivating the
system manually
System limits
Even if driving off was not intended, the deacti‐
vated engine starts up automatically in the fol‐
lowing situations:
Concept
The engine is not automatically switched off.
▷ Excessive warming of the car's interior when
the air conditioning is switched on.
The engine is started during an automatic engine
stop.
▷ Excessive cooling of the car's interior when
the heating is switched on.
Using the button
▷ Where there is a risk of window condensation
when the automatic climate control is
switched on.
▷ The steering wheel is turned.
▷ Change from selector lever position D to N or
R.
▷ Change from selector lever position P to N,
D, or R.
▷ Vehicle battery is heavily discharged.
▷ Start of an oil level measurement.
Press the button.
Intelligent Auto Start/Stop
function
Via selector lever position or Driving
Dynamics Control
Depending on the vehicle equipment and coun‐
try-specific version, the vehicle features a variety
of sensors for assessing the traffic situation. The
Intelligent Auto Start/Stop function uses this in‐
formation to adapt to various traffic situations in a
proactive manner.
The Auto Start/Stop function is also deactivated
in selector lever position M/S or in SPORT driv‐
ing mode of the Driving Dynamics Control.
Display
▷ LED comes on: auto Start/Stop function is
deactivated.
For instance, this applies to the following situa‐
tions:
▷ LED goes out: auto Start/Stop function is ac‐
tivated.
▷ If a situation is detected in which the stopping
time is expected to be very short, the engine
is not switched off automatically. A message
appears on the Control Display, depending
on the situation.
▷ If a situation is detected in which the vehicle
needs to drive off immediately, the engine is
started automatically.
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Driving
CONTROLS
▷ Engine characteristics.
▷ Steptronic transmission.
▷ Adaptive chassis.
Switching off the vehicle during an
automatic engine stop
General information
▷ Air suspension.
During an automatic engine stop, the vehicle can
be switched off permanently, for instance when
leaving it.
▷ Active roll stabilization.
▷ Integral Active Steering.
▷ Display in the instrument cluster.
▷ Cruise control.
Steptronic transmission
1. Press the Start/Stop button.
▷ Drive-ready state is switched off.
▷ Standby state is switched on.
▷ Backrest width for comfort seats.
Overview
▷ Selector lever position P is engaged auto‐
matically.
2. Set the parking brake.
Automatic deactivation
General information
In certain situations, the Auto Start/Stop function
is deactivated automatically for safety reasons,
for instance if no driver is detected.
Displays in the instrument
cluster
Malfunction
The selected driving mode is dis‐
played in the instrument cluster.
The Auto Start/Stop function no longer switches
off the engine automatically. A Check Control
message is displayed. It is possible to continue
driving. Have the system checked by a dealer's
service center or another qualified service center
or repair shop.
Driving modes
Buttons in the vehicle
Driving Dynamics Control
Concept
Button
Driving
mode
Configuration
The Driving Dynamics Control influences the
driving dynamics properties of the vehicle.
The vehicle can be adjusted depending on the
situation using various driving modes.
SPORT
SPORT
SPORT
INDIVIDUAL
SPORT
PLUS
General information
COMFORT COMFORT
The following systems are affected, for instance:
135
Driving
CONTROLS
Switching on
Press the button repeatedly until
SPORT is displayed in the instrument
Button
Driving
mode
Configuration
COMFORT COMFORT
PLUS
cluster.
ECO PRO
ADAPTIVE
INDIVIDUAL
SPORT INDIVIDUAL
Concept
When drive-ready state is switched on, the
COMFORT driving mode is selected automati‐
cally.
Individual settings can be adjusted in the SPORT
INDIVIDUAL driving mode.
Configuration
Driving modes in detail
COMFORT
Via iDrive:
1. "CAR"
2. "Settings"
Concept
3. "Driving mode"
4. "SPORT INDIVIDUAL"
5. Select the desired setting.
Balanced tuning between dynamic and efficient
driving.
The setting is stored for the driver profile cur‐
rently used.
Switching on
Press the button repeatedly until COM‐
FORT is displayed in the instrument
cluster.
Reset SPORT INDIVIDUAL to the standard set‐
tings:
"Reset to SPORT STANDARD".
SPORT PLUS
Concept
COMFORT PLUS
Concept
Particularly comfortable tuning for optimum trav‐
eling comfort.
Dynamic tuning for maximum agility with an ad‐
justed drive.
Switching on
Switching on
Press the button repeatedly until COM‐
FORT PLUS is displayed in the instru‐
ment cluster.
Press the button repeatedly until
SPORT PLUS is displayed in the instru‐
ment cluster.
SPORT
ECO PRO
Concept
Concept
Dynamic tuning for higher agility with an opti‐
mized chassis and suspension.
Efficient driving setting.
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Driving
CONTROLS
Switching on
Press the button repeatedly until ECO
PRO is displayed in the instrument clus‐
INDIVIDUAL configuration
General information
ter.
The individual configuration of the driving mode
is stored for the active driver profile. The last set
configuration is activated directly when the driv‐
ing mode is called up again.
ECO PRO INDIVIDUAL
Concept
Activating configuration of the
driving mode
Press the button for the desired driving mode
several times.
Individual settings can be adjusted in the ECO
PRO INDIVIDUAL driving mode.
Configuration
Via iDrive:
Parking brake
1. "CAR"
2. "Settings"
Concept
The parking brake is used to prevent the vehicle
from rolling when it is parked.
3. "Driving mode"
4. "ECO PRO INDIVIDUAL"
5. Select the desired setting.
The setting is stored for the driver profile cur‐
rently used.
Safety information
Reset ECO PRO INDIVIDUAL to the standard
settings:
Warning
An unsecured vehicle can begin to move and
possibly roll away. There is a risk of accident.
Before exiting, secure the vehicle against roll‐
ing.
"Reset to ECO PRO STANDARD".
ADAPTIVE
In order to ensure that the vehicle is secured
against rolling away, follow the following:
Concept
Comfort-oriented driving mode, whose tuning is
automatically modified to the driving situation
and driving style.
▷ Set the parking brake.
▷ On uphill grades or on a downhill slope,
turn the front wheels in the direction of the
curb.
If the navigation system is active, upcoming road
sections are considered.
▷ On uphill grades or on a downhill slope,
also secure the vehicle, for instance with a
wheel chock.
Switching on
Press the button. ADAPTIVE is dis‐
played in the instrument cluster.
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Driving
CONTROLS
Warning
While driving
General information
Unattended children or animals in the vehicle
can cause the vehicle to move and endanger
themselves and traffic, for instance due to the
following actions:
To use as emergency brake while driving.
Pull the switch and hold it. The vehicle brakes
hard while the switch is being pulled.
▷ Pressing the Start/Stop button.
▷ Releasing the parking brake.
The indicator light in the instrument clus‐
ter illuminates red, a signal sounds, and
the brake lights illuminate.
▷ Opening and closing the doors or win‐
dows.
A Check Control message is displayed.
▷ Engaging selector lever position N.
▷ Using vehicle equipment.
The parking brake is engaged when the vehicle
is stationary.
There is a risk of accidents or injuries. Do not
leave children or animals unattended in the ve‐
hicle. Take the remote control with you when
exiting and lock the vehicle.
With Emergency Stop Assistant
Pull the switch for the parking brake briefly to ac‐
tivate the emergency stop function, refer to
page 207.
Overview
Releasing
Releasing manually
1. Switch on drive-ready state.
2.
Press the switch while stepping on the
brake pedal or selector lever position P is set.
The LED and indicator light go out.
The parking brake is released.
Parking brake
Automatic release
The parking brake is released automatically
when you drive away.
Setting
The LED and indicator light go out.
Automatic Hold
Concept
With a stationary vehicle
Pull the switch.
The LED lights up.
This system assists the driver by automatically
setting and releasing the brake, such as when
moving in stop-and-go traffic.
The indicator light in the instrument clus‐
ter illuminates red. The parking brake is
set.
The vehicle is automatically held in place when it
is stationary.
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Driving
CONTROLS
On uphill grades the system prevents the vehicle
from rolling backward when driving off.
▷ Opening and closing the doors or win‐
dows.
▷ Engaging selector lever position N.
▷ Using vehicle equipment.
General information
Under the following conditions, the parking brake
is automatically engaged:
There is a risk of accidents or injuries. Do not
leave children or animals unattended in the ve‐
hicle. Take the remote control with you when
exiting and lock the vehicle.
▷ Drive-ready state is switched off.
▷ The driver's door is opened while the vehicle
is stationary.
▷ The moving vehicle is brought to a standstill
using the parking brake.
NOTICE
If the vehicle is stationary, Automatic Hold en‐
gages the parking brake and prevents the vehi‐
cle from rolling in a vehicle wash. There is a risk
of damage to property. Deactivate Automatic
Hold prior to entering the vehicle wash.
Display
The indicator light changes from green
to red.
Safety information
Overview
Warning
An unsecured vehicle can begin to move and
possibly roll away. There is a risk of accident.
Before exiting, secure the vehicle against roll‐
ing.
In order to ensure that the vehicle is secured
against rolling away, follow the following:
▷ Set the parking brake.
▷ On uphill grades or on a downhill slope,
turn the front wheels in the direction of the
curb.
Automatic Hold
▷ On uphill grades or on a downhill slope,
also secure the vehicle, for instance with a
wheel chock.
Establishing function readiness of
Automatic Hold
1. Switch on drive-ready state.
2.
Press the button.
The LED lights up.
Warning
Unattended children or animals in the vehicle
can cause the vehicle to move and endanger
themselves and traffic, for instance due to the
following actions:
The indicator light lights up green.
Automatic Hold is functional.
After every new vehicle start, the last se‐
▷ Pressing the Start/Stop button.
▷ Releasing the parking brake.
lected setting is active.
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Driving
CONTROLS
Automatic Hold holding the vehicle
Malfunction
Function readiness is established and the driv‐
er's door is closed.
In the event of a failure or malfunction of the
parking brake:
After stepping on the brake pedal, for instance
when stopping at a traffic light, the vehicle is au‐
tomatically secured against rolling.
Secure the vehicle against rolling away, for in‐
stance with a wheel chock, after existing the ve‐
hicle.
The indicator light lights up green.
After a power failure
To reestablish parking brake functionality after a
power failure:
Driving off
Step on the accelerator pedal to drive off.
1. Switch on standby state.
The brake is released automatically and the indi‐
cator light is no longer illuminated.
2.
Pull the switch while stepping on the
brake pedal or selector lever position P is set
and then push.
Activating the parking brake
automatically
The parking brake is automatically set if drive-
ready state is switched off while the vehicle is
being held by Automatic Hold or if the vehicle is
exited.
This process may take a few seconds. Some
mechanical sounds associated with this process
are normal.
The indicator light is no longer illumi‐
nated as soon as the parking brake is
ready for operation again.
The indicator light changes from green
to red.
Turn signal
The parking brake is not set automatically, if the
drive-ready state is switched off, while the vehi‐
cle is coasting to a halt. Automatic Hold is deacti‐
vated.
Turn signal in exterior mirror
When driving and during operation of the turn
signals or hazard warning system, do not fold in
the exterior mirrors, so that the signal lights on
the exterior mirror are easy to see.
Switching function readiness off
Press the button.
The LED goes out.
The indicator light goes out.
Automatic Hold is switched off.
If the vehicle is being held by Automatic Hold,
press additionally on the brake pedal, when
switching off.
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Driving
CONTROLS
Using turn signals
▷ High beams on, arrow 1.
The high beams light up when the low beams
are switched on.
Press the lever past the resistance point.
▷ High beams off/headlight flasher, arrow 2.
Triple turn signal activation
Lightly tap the lever up or down.
The triple turn signal duration can be adjusted.
Via iDrive:
Wiper system
General information
1. "CAR"
Do not use the wipers if the windshield is dry, as
this may damage the wiper blades or cause them
to become worn more quickly.
2. "Settings"
3. "Exterior lighting"
4. "One-touch turn signal"
5. Select the desired setting.
Safety information
The setting is stored for the driver profile cur‐
rently used.
Warning
If the wipers start moving in the folded away
state, body parts can be jammed or damage
may occur to parts of the vehicle. There is a risk
of injury or risk of damage to property. Make
sure that the vehicle is switched off when the
wipers are in the folded away state and the wip‐
ers are folded in when switching on.
Signaling briefly
Press the lever to the resistance point and hold it
there for as long as you want the turn signal to
flash.
High beams,
headlight flasher
NOTICE
Push the lever forward or pull it backward.
If the wipers are frozen to the windshield, the
wiper blades can be torn off and the wiper mo‐
tor can overheat when switching on. There is a
risk of damage to property. Defrost the wind‐
shield prior to switching the wipers on.
141
Driving
CONTROLS
Switching on
Rain sensor
Concept
The rain sensor automatically controls the time
between wipes depending on the intensity of the
rainfall.
General information
The sensor is located on the windshield, directly
in front of the interior mirror.
Press the lever up until the desired position is
reached.
Safety information
▷ Resting position of the wipers, position 0.
▷ Rain sensor, position 1.
NOTICE
If the rain sensor is activated, the wipers can
accidentally start moving in vehicle washes.
There is a risk of damage to property. Deacti‐
vate the rain sensor in vehicle washes.
▷ Normal wiper speed, position 2.
▷ Fast wiper speed, position 3.
When travel is interrupted with the wiper system
switched on: when travel continues, the wipers
resume at their previous speed.
Activating
Switching off and brief wipe
Press the lever up once from its standard posi‐
tion, arrow 1.
Press the lever down.
▷ Switching off: press the lever down until it
reaches its standard position.
Wiping is started.
The LED in the wiper lever is illuminated.
▷ Brief wipe: press the lever down from the
standard position.
In frosty conditions, wiper operation may not
start.
The lever automatically returns to its initial
position when released.
Deactivating
Press the lever back into the standard position.
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Driving
CONTROLS
Adjusting the rain sensor sensitivity
Cleaning the windshield
Turn the thumbwheel to adjust the sensitivity of
the rain sensor.
Pull the lever.
The system sprays washer fluid on the wind‐
shield and activates the wipers briefly.
Upward: high rain sensor sensitivity.
Downward: low rain sensor sensitivity.
Windshield washer nozzles
The windshield washer nozzles are automatically
heated while standby state is switched on.
Windshield washer system
Safety information
Fold-away position of the wipers
Concept
The fold-away position enables the wipers to be
folded away from the windshield.
Warning
The washer fluid can freeze onto the window at
low temperatures and obstruct the view. There
is a risk of accident. Only use the washer sys‐
tems, if the washer fluid cannot freeze. Use
washer fluid with antifreeze, if needed.
General information
Important, for instance when changing the wiper
blades or for folding away under frosty condi‐
tions.
NOTICE
When the washer fluid reservoir is empty, the
wash pump cannot work as intended. There is
a risk of damage to property. Do not use the
washer system when the washer fluid reservoir
is empty.
Safety information
Warning
If the wipers start moving in the folded away
state, body parts can be jammed or damage
may occur to parts of the vehicle. There is a risk
of injury or risk of damage to property. Make
sure that the vehicle is switched off when the
wipers are in the folded away state and the wip‐
ers are folded in when switching on.
143
Driving
CONTROLS
NOTICE
Steptronic transmission
If the wipers are frozen to the windshield, the
wiper blades can be torn off and the wiper mo‐
tor can overheat when switching on. There is a
risk of damage to property. Defrost the wind‐
shield prior to switching the wipers on.
Concept
The Steptronic transmission combines the func‐
tions of an automatic transmission with the pos‐
sibility of manual shifting, if needed.
Safety information
Folding away the wipers
1. Switch on standby state.
Warning
2. Press and hold the wiper lever down, until the
wipers stop in a close to vertical position.
An unsecured vehicle can begin to move and
possibly roll away. There is a risk of accident.
Before exiting, secure the vehicle against roll‐
ing, for instance with the parking brake.
Selector lever positions
Drive mode D
Selector lever position for normal vehicle opera‐
tion. All gears for forward travel are activated au‐
tomatically.
3. Fold the wipers all the way away from the
windshield.
R is reverse
Engage selector lever position R only when the
vehicle is stationary.
Neutral N
The vehicle may be pushed or roll without power,
for instance in vehicle washes, refer to
page 145, in selector lever position N.
Parking position P
Folding down the wipers
After the wipers are folded back down, the wiper
system must be reactivated.
Selector lever position, for instance for parking
the vehicle. The transmission blocks the drive
wheels in selector lever position P.
Engage selector lever position P only when the
vehicle is stationary.
1. Fold the wipers back down onto the wind‐
shield.
2. Switch on standby state and press and hold
the wiper lever down again.
P is engaged automatically
Selector lever position P is engaged automati‐
cally in situations such as the following:
3. Wipers return to their resting position and are
ready again for operation.
144
Driving
CONTROLS
▷ After the drive-ready state is switched off and
selector lever position R, D or M/S is en‐
gaged.
2. Press and hold the button to release the se‐
lector lever lock.
▷ After the standby state has been switched off
when selector lever position N is engaged.
▷ If the driver's safety belt is unbuckled, the
driver's door is opened, and the brake pedal
is not pressed while the vehicle is stationary
and selector lever position D, M/S or R is en‐
gaged.
Engaging selector lever
positions
3. Push the selector lever in the desired direc‐
tion, past a resistance point, if needed. The
selector lever automatically returns to the
center position when released.
General information
To prevent the vehicle from creeping after you
select a drive mode, maintain pressure on the
brake pedal until you are ready to start.
Functional requirements
Only when the drive-ready state is switched on
and the brake pedal is depressed is it possible to
change from selector lever position P to another
selector lever position.
The selection lever position P cannot be
changed until all technical requirements are met.
Engaging selector lever position P
Engaging selector lever position D,
N, R
A selector lever lock prevents the following faulty
operation:
▷ Unintentional shifting into selector lever posi‐
tion R.
▷ Unintentional shifting from selector lever po‐
sition P into another selector lever position.
Press button P.
1. Fasten driver's safety belt.
Rolling or pushing the vehicle
General information
In some situations, the vehicle is to roll without
its own power for a short distance, for instance in
a vehicle wash, or be pushed.
145
Driving
CONTROLS
style. The transmission, for instance shifts up
later and the shifting times are shorter.
Engaging selector lever position N
1. Switch on drive-ready state while pressing on
the brake pedal.
Activating the Sport program
2. If necessary, release the parking brake.
3. If necessary, switch off Automatic Hold, refer
to page 138.
4. Depress the brake pedal.
5. Touch the selector lever lock and engage se‐
lector lever position N.
6. Switch off drive-ready state.
In this way, standby state remains switched
on, and a Check Control message is dis‐
played.
Press the selector lever to the left from selector
lever position D.
The vehicle can roll.
The engaged gear is displayed in the instrument
cluster, for instance S1.
NOTICE
The sport program of the transmission is acti‐
vated.
Selector lever position P is automatically en‐
gaged when standby state is switched off.
There is a risk of damage to property. Do not
switch standby state off in vehicle washes.
Ending the Sport program
Push the selector lever to the right.
D is displayed in the instrument cluster.
Irrespective of standby state, the selector lever
position P is automatically engaged after approx.
35 minutes.
Manual mode M/S
If there is a malfunction, you may not be able to
change the selector lever position.
Concept
Electronically unlock the transmission lock, if
needed, refer to page 148.
Manual gear-shifting is possible in manual mode.
Activating manual mode
1. Press the selector lever to the left from selec‐
tor lever position D, arrow 1.
Kickdown
Kickdown is used to achieve maximum driving
performance.
Step on the accelerator pedal beyond the resist‐
ance point at the full throttle position.
Sport program M/S
Concept
The shifting points and shifting times in the
Sport program are designed for a sportier driving
146
Driving
CONTROLS
2. Push the selector lever forward or pull it
backward, arrows 2.
General information
Shifting
Manual mode becomes active and the gear is
changed.
The vehicle only shifts at suitable engine and
road speeds.
The engaged gear is displayed in the instrument
cluster, for instance M1.
Short-term manual mode
Shifting
In selector lever position D, actuating a shift pad‐
dle switches into manual mode temporarily.
▷ To shift down: press the selector lever for‐
ward.
After conservative driving in manual mode with‐
out acceleration or shifting via the shift paddles
for a certain amount of time, the transmission
switches back to automatic mode.
▷ To shift up: pull the selector lever rearwards.
The transmission continues shifting automati‐
cally in certain situations, for instance when
speed limits are reached.
It is possible to switch into automatic mode as
follows:
▷ Pull and hold right shift paddle.
Steptronic Sport transmission:
prevent automatic upshifting in M/S
manual mode
▷ In addition to the briefly pulled right shift pad‐
dle, briefly pull the left shift paddle.
If driving mode SPORT, refer to page 136, is se‐
lected, the Steptronic Sport transmission does
not automatically upshift in M/S manual mode
once the maximum speed is reached.
Continuous manual mode
In selector lever position S, actuating a shift pad‐
dle switches into manual mode permanently.
Depending on the BMW M drive configuration,
this function is active independently of the driv‐
ing mode.
Steptronic Sport transmission
With the appropriate transmission version, the
lowest possible gear can be selected by simulta‐
neously activating kickdown and operating the
left shift paddles. This is not possible in short-
term manual mode.
In addition, there is no downshifting for kick‐
down.
Ending the manual mode
Push the selector lever to the right.
D is displayed in the instrument cluster.
Shifting
Shift paddles
Concept
The shift paddles on the steering wheel allow
you to shift gears quickly while keeping both
hands on the steering wheel.
▷ To shift up: briefly pull right shift paddle.
▷ To shift down: briefly pull left shift paddle.
147
Driving
CONTROLS
▷ The lowest possible gear can be selected by
pulling and holding the left shift paddle.
A Check Control message is displayed.
The selected gear is briefly displayed in the in‐
strument cluster, followed by the current gear.
Displays in the instrument
cluster
The selector lever position is dis‐
played, for example P.
4. Release Start/Stop button and selector lever.
5. Release brake, as soon as the starter stops.
6. Maneuver the vehicle from the danger area
and secure it against moving on its own.
Electronic unlocking of the
transmission lock
For additional information, see the chapter on
tow-starting and towing, refer to page 377.
General information
Electronically unlock the transmission lock to
maneuver vehicle from a danger area.
Launch Control
Concept
Launch Control enables optimum acceleration
on surfaces with good traction under dry sur‐
rounding conditions.
Unlocking is possible, if the starter can spin the
engine.
Before unlocking the transmission lock, set the
parking brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling
away.
General information
The use of Launch Control causes premature
component wear since this function represents a
very heavy load for the vehicle.
Engaging selector lever position N
1. Press and hold down brake pedal.
2. Press the Start/Stop button. The starter must
audibly start. Hold the Start/Stop button
pressed.
Do not use Launch Control during the break-in,
refer to page 312, period.
Do not steer the steering wheel when driving off
with Launch Control.
3. With your free hand, press the button on the
selector lever, arrow 1, and press the selector
lever into selector lever position N and hold,
arrow N, until selector lever position N is dis‐
played in the instrument cluster.
Functional requirements
Launch Control is available when the engine is at
operating temperature. The engine is at operat‐
ing temperature after an uninterrupted trip of at
least 6 miles/10 km.
Start with launch control
1. Switch on drive-ready state.
2.
Press the button.
148
Driving
CONTROLS
TRACTION is displayed in the instrument
cluster and the indicator light for DSC OFF
lights up.
3. Engage selector lever position S.
4. With the left foot, forcefully press down on
the brake.
5. Press and hold down the accelerator pedal
beyond the resistance point at the full throttle
position, kickdown.
A flag symbol is displayed in the instrument
cluster.
6. The starting engine speed adjusts. Within
3 seconds, release the brake.
Repeated use during a trip
After Launch Control has been used, the trans‐
mission must cool down for approx. 5 minutes
before Launch Control can be used again.
Launch Control adjusts to the surrounding con‐
ditions, when used again.
After using Launch Control
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC Dy‐
namic Stability Control again as soon as possible.
System limits
An experienced driver may be able to achieve
better acceleration values in DSC OFF mode.
149
