BMW X3 (F25) Owners Manual: Driving stability control systems

Vehicle features and options

This chapter describes all standard, country-specific and optional features offered with the series. It also describes features that are not necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to the selected options or country versions. This also applies to safety-related functions and systems. The respectively applicable country provisions must be observed when using the respective features and systems.

• Antilock Brake System ABS
• DSC Dynamic Stability Control
• DTC Dynamic Traction Control
• Performance Control
• HDC Hill Descent Control
• Dynamic Damping Control
• Variable sport steering
• Driving Dynamics Control
• Drive-off assistant

Antilock Brake System ABS

ABS prevents locking of the wheels during braking.

The vehicle contains its steering power even during full brake applications, thus increasing active safety.

ABS is operational every time you start the engine.

Brake assistant

When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system automatically produces the greatest possible braking force boost. It reduces the braking distance to a minimum during emergency stop.

This system utilizes all of the benefits provided by ABS.

Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal for the duration of the emergency stop.

DSC Dynamic Stability Control

The concept

DSC prevents traction loss in the power wheels when driving off and accelerating.

DSC also recognizes unstable vehicle conditions such as fishtailing or nose-diving. Within the physical limits DSC helps to keep the vehicle on a steady course by reducing engine speed and by applying brakes to the individual wheels.

Note

Adjust your driving style to the situation

An appropriate driving style is always the responsibility of the driver.

Therefore, do not reduce the additional safety margin by driving in a risky manner.

Do not deactivate DSC when driving with roof load

Do not deactivate Dynamic Stability Control DSC when driving with roof load, e.g. roofmounted luggage rack.

Otherwise, driving safety is not given in driving- critical situation due to the elevated center of gravity.

Overview

Button in the vehicle

DSC OFF button

Indicator/warning lights

The indicator lamp flashes: DSC controls the drive and braking forces.

The indicator lamp lights up: DSC has failed.

Deactivating DSC: DSC OFF

When DSC is deactivated, driving stability is reduced during acceleration and when driving in curves.

To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again as soon as possible.

Deactivating DSC

Press and hold this button but not longer than approx. 10 seconds, until the indicator lamp for DSC OFF lights up in the instrument cluster and displays DSC OFF.

The DSC system is switched off.

The steering and, depending on the equipment, suspension are tuned for sporty driving.

Activating DSC

Press button.

DSC OFF and the DSC OFF indicator lamp go out.

Indicator/warning lights

When DSC is deactivated, DSC OFF is displayed in the instrument cluster.

The indicator lamp lights up: DSC is deactivated.

DTC Dynamic Traction Control

The concept

The DTC system is a version of the DSC where forward momentum is optimized.

The system ensures maximum headway on special road conditions or loose road surfaces, e.g., unplowed snowy roads, but with somewhat limited driving stability.

Activating the Dynamic Traction Control DTC provides maximum traction. Driving stability is limited during acceleration and when driving in curves.

Therefore drive with appropriate caution.

You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC under the following special circumstances:

• When driving in slush or on uncleared, snow-covered roads.
• When freeing vehicle from deep snow or driving off from loose grounds.
• When driving with snow chains.

Deactivating/activating DTC Dynamic Traction Control

Activating DTC

  Press button.

TRACTION is displayed in the instrument cluster and the indicator lamp for DSC OFF lights up.

Deactivating DTC

Press button again.

TRACTION and the DSC OFF indicator lamp go out.

Performance Control

Performance Control enhances the agility of the vehicle.

To increase maneuverability, with a correspondingly sporty driving style, wheels are braked individually. The resulting braking power is simultaneously largely compensated by an engine intervention.

xDrive

xDrive is the all-wheel-drive system of your vehicle.

Concerted action by the xDrive and DSC further optimize traction and driving dynamics.

The xDrive all-wheel-drive system variably distributes the drive forces to the front and rear axles as demanded by the driving situation and road surface.

Display on the Control Display

Displaying xDrive view

1. "Vehicle info"

2. "xDrive status"

The following information is displayed:

• With a navigation system: compass display for the driving direction
• Pitch attitude with degree and percentage
• Transverse gradient with degree indication
• Graphic display for the steering

HDC Hill Descent Control

The concept

HDC is a downhill driving assistant that automatically controls vehicle speed on steep downhill gradients. Without applying the brakes, the vehicle moves at slightly more than walking speed.

Hill Descent Control can be activated at speeds below approx. 22 mph/35 km/h. When driving downhill, the vehicle reduces its speed to approx. walking speed and then keeps its speed constant.

As long as there is active braking, the system is on standby. The system does not brake the vehicle during this time.

Only use HDC in low gears or in selector lever position D or R.

Increasing or decreasing vehicle speed

Specify desired speed in the range from approx.

4 mph/6 km/h to approx. 15 mph/25 km/h using the rocker switch of the cruise control on the steering wheel. Vehicle speed can be changed by lightly accelerating.

• Press the rocker switch up to the point of resistance: the speed increases gradually.
• Press up the rocker switch past the point of resistance: the speed increases while the rocker switch is pressed.
• Press the rocker switch down to the point of resistance: the speed decreases gradually.
• Press the rocker switch down past the point of resistance: when driving forward, the speed decreases to approx. 6 mph/10 km/h; when reversing, the speed decreases to approx. 4 mph/6 km/h.

Activating HDC

Press button; the LED above the button lights up.

Deactivating HDC

Press button again and the LED goes out. HDC is automatically deactivated above approx. 37 mph/60 km/h.

Display in the instrument cluster

The selected speed is displayed in the speedometer.

• Green: the system is actively braking the vehicle.
• Orange: the system is on standby.

Malfunction

A message is displayed in the instrument cluster.

HDC is not available, e.g., due to elevated brake temperatures.

Dynamic Damping Control

The concept

This system reduces undesirable vehicle motion when using a dynamic driving style or traveling on uneven road surfaces.

The system enhances driving dynamics and comfort fitting road surface and driving style.

Programs

The system offers several different programs.

Select the programs via the Driving Dynamics Control.

SPORT Consistently sporty control of the shock absorbers for greater driving agility.

SPORT+ Consistently sporty control of the shock absorbers for greater driving agility when driving with limited driving stabilization.

COMFORT/ECO PRO Balanced control of the vehicle.

Variable sport steering

The variable sport steering increases the steering angle of the front wheels at large steering wheel angles, e.g., in tight curves or when parking. Steering becomes more direct.

It also varies the force required to turn the wheels in accordance with the vehicle speed.

This results in a sporty steering response. In addition, it becomes easier to steer during parking and maneuvering.

Servotronic

The concept The Servotronic varies the steering force required to turn the wheels in accordance with the vehicle speed. At low speeds, the steering force is strongly supported, i. e. during steering, low force is required. As the speed increases, the assistance of the steering force is reduced.

Furthermore, the steering force adapts according to the driving program, so that a direct, sporty feel and/or comfortable steering is conveyed.

Driving Dynamics Control

The concept

The Driving Dynamics Control helps to fine-tune the vehicle's settings and features. Various programs can be selected for this purpose.

The Driving Dynamics Control and the DSC OFF buttons can each be used to activate a program.

Overview

Button in the vehicle

Operating the programs

Press button	Program
	DSC OFF TRACTION
	SPORT+ SPORT COMFORT ECO PRO

Automatic program change The system may automatically switch to COMFORT in the following situations:

• Failure of Dynamic Damping Control.
• Failure of DSC Dynamic Stability Control.
• The vehicle has a flat tire.
• When activating cruise control in TRACTION or DSC OFF mode.

DSC OFF

When DSC OFF, is active, driving stability is limited during acceleration and when driving in curves.

TRACTION

When TRACTION is active, the vehicle has maximum traction on loose road surfaces. DTC Dynamic Traction Control, is activated. Driving stability is limited during acceleration and when driving in curves.

SPORT+

Sporty driving with optimized suspension and adapted engine control with limited driving stabilization.

Dynamic Traction Control is switched on.

The driver handles several of the stabilization tasks.

Activating SPORT+

Press button repeatedly until SPORT+ appears in the instrument cluster and the DSC OFF indicator lamp lights up.

Automatic program change When activating cruise control, the program automatically switches to SPORT mode.

Indicator/warning lights SPORT+ is displayed in the instrument cluster.

The DSC OFF indicator lamp lights up: Dynamic Traction Control is activated.

SPORT

Consistently sporty tuning of the suspension and engine control for greater driving agility with maximum driving stabilization.

The program can be configured to individual specifications. The configuration is stored for the profile currently in use.

Activating SPORT

Press button repeatedly until SPORT is displayed in the instrument cluster.

Configuring SPORT When the display is activated on the Control Display, the SPORT driving mode can be set to individual specifications.

• Activating SPORT.
• "Configure SPORT"
• Configuring the SPORT driving mode.

SPORT can also be configured before it is activated:

1. "Settings"

2. "SPORT mode"

3. Configure driving mode.

This configuration is retrieved when the SPORT driving mode is activated.

COMFORT

For a balanced tuning with maximum driving stabilization.

Activating COMFORT

Press button repeatedly until COMFORT is displayed in the instrument cluster.

In certain situations, the system automatically changes to the NORMAL program, automatic program change.

ECO PRO

ECO PRO, provides consistent tuning to minimize fuel consumption for maximum range with maximum driving stabilization.

Comfort functions and the engine controller are adjusted.

The program can be configured to individual specifications.

Activating ECO PRO

Press button repeatedly until ECO PRO is displayed in the instrument cluster.

Configuring ECO PRO

1. Activate ECO PRO.

2. "Configure ECO PRO"

Make the desired settings.

Displays

Program selection

Pressing the button displays a list of the selectable programs.

Depending on your vehicle's optional features, the list in the instrument cluster can differ from the illustration shown.

Selected program

The instrument cluster displays the selected program.

Display on the Control Display

Program changes can be displayed on the Control Display.

1. "Settings"

2. "Control display"

3. "Driving mode info"

Drive-off assistant

This system supports driving off on inclines.

The parking brake is not required.

1. Hold the vehicle in place with the foot brake.

2. Release the foot brake and drive off without delay.

After the foot brake is released, the vehicle is held in place for approx. 2 seconds.

Depending on the vehicle load or when a trailer is used, the vehicle may roll back slightly.

Driving off without delay

After releasing the foot brake, start driving without delay, since the drive-off assistant will not hold the vehicle in place for more than approx. 2 seconds and the vehicle will begin to roll back.