2024 BMW 3 Series Indicator and Warning Lights Guide
These 2024 BMW 3 Series Indicator and Warning Lights provide vital vehicle health and performance data. This guide explains symbols, their significance, and what to do when they appear.
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Video: 2024 BMW 3 Series Dashboard Warning Indicators
Indicator lights and warning lights
Principle
The indicator lights and warning lights on the instrument cluster show the status of some vehicle functions. The indicator and warning lights indicate faults in monitored systems.
General
The indicator/warning lights may illuminate in various combinations and colours.
When switching on the drive-ready state, the functionality of some lights is checked and they illuminate briefly.
Red lights
Seat belt warning
The seat belt is not buckled. For further information: For seat belt warnings, see page 117.
Airbag system
The warning light is illuminated briefly: this indicates that the entire airbag system and seat belt tensioners are operational when the vehicle is switched on.
The warning light does not illuminate or illuminates continuously: The airbag system or belt tensioners may not be functioning. Have the ve-hicle checked immediately by an authorised Service Partner or another qualified Service Partner or a specialist workshop. For further information on airbags, see page 185.
Parking brake
The parking brake is engaged. For further information on parking brakes, see page 146.
Brake system
The brake linings are worn or there is a fault in the brake system. The braking force assistance may be not functional. A higher pedal force may be required during braking.
Have the vehicle checked immediately by an authorised Service Partner another qualified Service Partner or a specialist workshop.
Emergency Stop Assistant
The Emergency Stop Assistant is triggered. For further information:
Emergency Stop Assistant, see page 210.
Pedestrian warning
Warning light illuminates: risk of collision with a person, e.g., pedestrian or cyclist, has been detected. Increased awareness is required.
Warning light flashes and signal sounds: risk of an impending collision with a person, e.g., pedestrian or cyclist, has been detected. Immediately start braking or an avoidance manoeuvre.
For further information:
Pedestrian Warning with city braking function, see page 195.
Collision Warning
Warning light illuminates: risk of collision, e.g., with a vehicle, has been detected. Increased awareness is required. Warning light flashes and signal sounds: risk of an impending collision with a vehicle has been detected. Immediately start braking or an avoidance manoeuvre.
For further information:
Collision Warning with braking function, see page 194.
Crossroads Warning: vehicle detected from the right
The warning light illuminates: that the risk of collision with a vehicle crossing from the right has been detected. Increased awareness is required.
Warning light flashes and signal sounds: risk of impending collision with a crossing vehicle has been detected. Immediately start braking or an avoidance manoeuvre.
For further information:
Crossroads Warning with city braking function, see page 196.
Crossroads Warning: vehicle detected from left
Warning light illuminates: risk of collision with a vehicle crossing from the left has been detected. Increased awareness is required.
Warning light flashes and signal sounds: risk of impending collision with a crossing vehicle has been detected. Immediately start braking or an avoidance manoeuvre.
For further information:
Crossroads Warning with city braking function, see page 196.
Crossroads Warning: vehicle from undetectable direction of travelThe warning light illuminates: that the risk of collision with a vehicle approaching from an undetectable direction of travel has been detected. Increased awareness is required.
Warning light flashes and signal sounds: risk of impending collision with a vehicle has been detected. Immediately start braking or an avoidance manoeuvre.
For further information:
Crossroads Warning with city braking function, see page 196.
Active Cruise Control with distance control
Warning light flashes and an acoustic signal sounds: brake and perform avoidance manoeuvre, if necessary. For further information:
Active Cruise Control with distance control, see page 232.
Steering and Lane Control Assistant
Depending on the national market version: the warning light flashes or is illuminated. A signal sounds: The system is switched off.
For further information:
Steering and Lane Control Assistant, see page 245.
Steering and Lane Control Assistant: hands not on the steering wheelThe warning light is illuminated and a signal sounds: Hands are not holding the steering wheel. A system interruption is imminent.
The system reduces the speed to a standstill if applicable.
The system may not perform any supporting steering wheel movements.
Grab the steering wheel with your hands.
For further information on steering and Lane Control Assistant, see page 245.
Yellow lights
Anti-lock Braking System
There is a malfunction or the system is faulty. The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is not available. Ease of steering may be restricted during full braking.
Have the vehicle checked immediately by an authorised Service Partner another qualified Service Partner or a specialist workshop.
For further information the anti-lock Braking System (ABS), see page 220.
Brake system
The brake linings are worn or there is a fault in the brake system. Have the vehicle checked by an authorised Service Partner another qualified Serv-ice Partner or a specialist workshop.
Steering and Lane Control Assistant
The warning light is illuminated and an acoustic signal may sound: a system interruption is imminent. The warning light flashes: lane boundary has been crossed.
For further information:
Steering and Lane Control Assistant, see page 245.
Steering and Lane Control Assistant: hands not on the steering wheelHands are not holding the steering wheel. The system remains active. Grab the steering wheel with your hands.
For further information:
Steering and Lane Control Assistant, see page 245.
Front collision warning restricted or failed
Depending on the equipment and national-market version: functional limitations are detected, for example, due to system limitations of the camera or system failure. It is possible to continue driving. Where applicable, observe the information from Check Control messages.
For further information:
Front collision warning, see page 191.
Front collision warning switched off
Depending on the vehicle equipment and national-market version: the system is switched off. For further information:
Front collision warning, see page 191.
Dynamic Stability Control
Warning light pulsates: Dynamic Stability Control regulates the drive and brake forces. The vehicle is being stabilised. Reduce speed and adjust the driving style to the road conditions.
The warning light is illuminated: Dynamic Stability Control has failed or is initialising. The driving stabilisation is restricted or has failed.
If the warning light is continuously illuminated, have the vehicle checked immediately by an authorised Service Partner another qualified Service Partner or a specialist workshop.
For further information:
Dynamic Stability Control, see page 221.
Dynamic Stability Control deactivated or Dynamic Traction Control activated
Dynamic Stability Control is deactivated or Dynamic Traction Control is activated.
For further information:
- Dynamic Stability Control, see page 221.
- Dynamic Traction Control, see page 222.
Flat tyre monitor
The warning light illuminates: a flat tyre or a tyre pressure loss has been detected. Reduce your speed and carefully stop the vehi-cle. Avoid heavy braking and sudden steering manoeuvres.
For further information:
Flat Tyre Monitor, see page 344.
Tyre Pressure MonitorThe warning light illuminates: a flat tyre or a tyre pressure loss has been detected. Note the information in the Check Control message.
Warning light flashes and is then illuminated continuously: the system is unable to detect flat tyres or tyre pressure losses.
- Fault due to systems or devices with the same radio frequency: the system is automatically reactivated upon leaving the field of interference.
- For tyres with special approval: the Tyre Pressure Monitor was unable to complete the reset. Reset the system again.
- Wheel without wheel electronics is fitted: if necessary have it checked by an authorised Service Partner or another qualified Service Partner or a specialist workshop.
- Malfunction: have the system checked by an authorised Service Partner another qualified Service Partner or a specialist workshop.
For further information:
Tyre Pressure Monitor, see page 337.
Steering system
The steering system may be faulty. Have the system checked by an authorised Service Partner another qualified Service Partner or a specialist workshop.
Engine warning light
When the warning light flashes: There is an engine fault which could damage the catalytic converter. Have the vehicle checked immediately.- When warning light illuminates:
Emission levels have deteriorated.
Have the vehicle checked as soon as possi-ble.
Have the vehicle checked by an authorised Service Partner another qualified Service Partner or a specialist workshop.
Lane Departure Warning
The warning light is illuminated: functional limitation detected, for example, due to the low sun or system failure. It is possible to continue driving. Where applicable, observe the information from Check Control messages.
Warning light flashes: a warning is issued actively. The system does not carry out any steering interventions.
For further information:
Lane Departure Warning, see page 198.
Rear fog light
The rear fog light is switched on. For further information on the rear fog light, see page 179.
Green lights
Turn indicators
The turn indicator is switched on.
If the indicator light flashes more rapidly than usual, a turn indicator bulb has failed.
For further information:
Turn indicators, see page 172.
Sidelights
The side lights are switched on. For further information on side light, and low-beam headlight, see page 175.
Low-beam headlight
The low-beam headlight is switched on. For further information:
Sidelight, low-beam headlight, see page 175.
High-beam Assistant
The low-beam headlight is switched on and the High-beam Assistant is activated. The high-beam headlight is switched on and off automatically according to traffic situation. For further information:
High-beam Assistant, see page 173.
Lane Departure Warning
Depending on the equipment and national-market version: The indicator light flashes: and the system actively issues a warning. If necessary, the sys-tem performs a steering intervention.
For further information:
Lane Departure Warning, see page 198.
Automatic Hold: The vehicle is held automatically
Automatic Hold is ready to operate. The vehicle is held automatically when at a standstill. For further information:
Automatic Hold, see page 148.
Automatic Hold: vehicle secured against rolling away
The vehicle is automatically secured against rolling away after stopping. For further information: on Automatic Hold, see page 148.
Manual Speed Limiter
Indicator light illuminates: the system is switched on. The indicator light flashes: the set speed limit is exceeded.
For further information:
Manual Speed Limiter, see page 227.
Cruise Control
The system is active.
For further information: on Cruise Control, see page 229.
Active Cruise Control with distance control
Indicator light illuminates: the system has detected a vehicle ahead. The vehicle symbol goes out if no vehicle in front is detected.
Indicator light flashing: The vehicle in front has driven off.
For further information:
Active Cruise Control with distance control, see page 232.
Speed Limit Assist activated
Depending on the equipment, the indi-cator light illuminates green, together with the icon for a Cruise Control Sys-tem. Speed Limit Assist is active and detected speed limits can be adopted manually for the displayed system.
For further information:
Speed Limit Assist, see page 241.
Speed Limit Assist: apply the speed limit
The detected speed limit can be applied with the SET button. As soon as the speed limit has been adopted, a green tick is displayed.
For further information:
Speed Limit Assist, see page 241.
Steering and Lane Control Assistant
The system is activated and assists in keeping the vehicle in the driving lane.
For further information on steering and Lane Control Assistant, see page 245.
Lane Change Assistant: lane change in progress
Green arrow symbol for lane-chang-ing: the system is carrying out a lane change. For further information:
Lane Change Assistant, see page 250.
Lane Change Assistant Lane: Lane change not possible
The grey line for lane boundary on the appropriate side: the system has detected the lane change request. Lane change is not currently possible.
For further information:
Lane Change Assistant, see page 250.
Lane Change Assistant: functional requirements not met
Depending on the national-market version: Grey arrow symbol for lane-changing: lane change not possible; operating requirements not met.
For further information:
Lane Change Assistant, see page 250.
Assisted Driving Mode Plus
The system is active. For further information: on Assisted Driving Mode Plus, see page 248.
Assisted Driving Mode Plus
Alternative display, depending on equipment. The system is active.
For further information: on Assisted Driving Mode Plus, see page 248.
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Blue lights
High-beam headlight
The high-beam headlight has been switched on.
For further information:
- High-beam headlight, see page 172.
- High-beam Assistant, see page 173.
Grey lights
Manual Speed Limiter
The system is interrupted.
For further information:
Manual Speed Limiter, see page 227.
Cruise Control
The system is interrupted. For further information: on Cruise Control, see page 229.
Active Cruise Control with distance control
Indicator light illuminates: the system is interrupted. The indicator light flashes: the requirements for the operation of the system are no longer being met. The system has been deactivated but will continue to brake until you actively take over by depressing the brake or accelerator pedal.
For further information:
Active Cruise Control with distance control, see page 232.
Steering and Lane Control Assistant
The system is on standby and does not make any steering wheel movement. The system activates automatically when all operating requirements are met.
For further information:
Steering and Lane Control Assistant, see page 245.
Assisted Driving Mode Plus
The system is interrupted and activates automatically as soon as all functional requirements are met. For further information:
Assisted Driving Mode Plus, see page 248.
Lane Departure Warning
Depending on the equipment and national-market version: The warning light is illuminated: or the system is switched off or automatically deactivated, for example, because DSC OFF is activated.
Warning light flashes: a warning is issued actively. The system does not carry out any steering interventions.
For further information:
Lane Departure Warning, see page 198.
White lights
Cruise Control with distance controlNo display of distance control as the accelerator pedal is being pressed.
For further information on active Cruise Control with distance control, see page 232.
Assisted Driving Mode Plus
The system can be activated. For further information: on Assisted Driving Mode Plus, see page 248.
Useful Links
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