Rider's Manual (US Model)
R 1200 GS
BMW Motorrad
The Ultimate
Riding Machine
Motorcycle/Retailer Data
Motorcycle data
Model
Vehicle Identification Number
Color number
First registration
Registration number
Retailer Data
Contact in Service
Ms./Mr.
Phone number
Retailer's address/phone number (company stamp)
Welcome to BMW
We congratulate you on your choice of a motorcycle from BMW and welcome you to the community of BMW riders. Familiarize yourself with your new motorcycle so that you can ride it safely and confidently in all traffic situations.
Please read this Rider's Manual carefully before starting to use your new BMW motorcycle. It contains important information on how to operate the controls and how to make the best possible use of all your BMW's technical features.
In addition, it contains information on maintenance and care to help you maintain your motorcycle's reliability and safety, as well as its value.
If you have any questions concerning your motorcycle, your authorized BMW Motorrad retailer
is always happy to provide advice and assistance.
We wish you many miles of safe and enjoyable riding
BMW Motorrad.
Table of Contents
You can also consult the index at the end of this Rider's Manual if you want to find a particular topic or item of information.
1 General instructions .... 5
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Abbreviations and
symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Currentness of this man-
ual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2 Overviews ................ 9
General view, left side . . . . . . . 11 General view, right side . . . . . 13 Multifunction switch, left . . . . 14 Right handlebar fitting . . . . . . . 15 Underneath seat . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Instrument cluster . . . . . . . . . . . 17
3 Status indicators ....... 19
Multifunction display . . . . . . . . 20 Meanings of displays . . . . . . . . 21 Warning and indicator
lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Service display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Ambient temperature. . . . . . . . 23 Tire inflation pressures . . . . . . 23 Oil level indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Warning indicators . . . . . . . . . . 24
4 Operation................ 39
Ignition switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Electronic immobilizer
EWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Turn indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Hazard warning flashers . . . . . 46 Emergency ON/OFF
switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Heated handlebar grips . . . . . 48
BMW Motorrad Integral
ABS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Automatic Stability Control
ASC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Windshield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Handlebars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Spring preload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Damping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Electronic suspension adjustment ESA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Headlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Front and rear seats. . . . . . . . . 60 Helmet holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
5 Riding .................... 63
Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . 64 Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Starting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Running in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Offroad riding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Parking your motorcycle . . . . 72 Refueling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Secure motorcycle for transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
6 Technology in
detail ..................... 77
Brake system with BMW Motorrad Integral ABS . . . . . . 78 Engine management with
BMW Motorrad ASC . . . . . . . . 80 Tire Pressure Control TPC/ RDC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Electronic suspension adjustment ESA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
7 Accessories ............. 85
General instructions . . . . . . . . . 86 Onboard sockets . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Topcase. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Luggage rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
8 Maintenance ............ 95
General instructions . . . . . . . . . 96 Onboard toolkit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Rims and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Front wheel stand . . . . . . . . . 110 Lamps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Air filter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
9 Care .................... 125
Care products . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Washing your motorcy-
cle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Cleaning sensitive motorcy-
cle parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Paint care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Protective wax coating . . . . 128 Storing motorcycle . . . . . . . . 128 Returning motorcycle to
use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
10 Technical data ...... 129
Troubleshooting chart . . . . . 130 Threaded fasteners . . . . . . . 131 Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 Rear-wheel drive . . . . . . . . . . 137 Running gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 Wheels and tires . . . . . . . . . . 139 Electrical system . . . . . . . . . . 140 Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 Weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 Riding specifications . . . . . . 143
11 Service ............... 145
Reporting safety
defects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 BMW Motorrad Service . . . 147 BMW Motorrad Mobility Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 Maintenance work . . . . . . . . . 147 Confirmation of mainte-
nance work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 Confirmation of service . . . . 154
12 Index ................. 156
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Abbreviations and symbols . . . . . . . . . . 6 Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Currentness of this manual . . . . . . . . . . 7
1
5 instructionsGeneral
1
6
General instructions
Chapter 2 of this Rider's Manual will provide you with an initial overview of your motorcycle. All maintenance and repair work carried out on your motorcycle will be documented in Chapter 11. Proof of the maintenance work performed is a prerequisite for generous treatment of claims. When the time comes to sell your BMW, please remember
to hand over this Rider's Manual; it is an important part of the motorcycle.
Indicates warnings that you must comply with for
reasons of your safety and the safety of others, and to protect your motorcycle against damage.
Special information on operating and inspecting your
motorcycle as well as maintenance and adjustment procedures.
Indicates the end of an item of information.
Instruction.
Result of an activity.
Reference to a page with more detailed information.
Indicates the end of accessory or equipmentdependent information.
Tightening torque.
Technical data.
OE |
Optional equipment |
|
The motorcycles are as- |
|
sembled complete with |
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all the BMW optional ex- |
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tras originally ordered. |
OA |
Optional accessory |
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BMW optional acces- |
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sories can be purchased |
|
and installed at your au- |
|
thorized BMW Motorrad |
|
retailer. |
EWS Electronic immobilizer.
DWA Anti-theft alarm.
ABS Anti-Lock Brake System.
ASC Automatic Stability Con-
trol.
ESA Electronic Suspension
Adjustment.
TPC/ Tire Pressure Control
RDC (TPC).
When you ordered your BMW motorcycle, you chose various items of custom equipment. This Rider's Manual describes optional equipment (OE) offered by BMW and selected optional accessories (OA). This explains why the manual may also contain descriptions of equipment which you have not ordered. Please note, too, that your motorcycle might not be exactly as illustrated in this manual on account of country-specific differences.
If your BMW is equipped with options or accessories not described in this Rider's Manual, then this equipment is described in separate operating instructions.
All dimensions, weights and outputs in the Rider's Manual refer to the Deutsches Institut für Normung e. V. (DIN) and comply with its tolerance regulations. Versions for individual countries may differ.
The high safety and quality standards of BMW motorcycles are maintained by constant development work on designs, equipment and accessories. Because of this, your motorcycle may differ from the information supplied in the Rider's Manual. In addition, BMW Motorrad cannot guarantee the total absence of errors. We hope you will appreciate that no claims can be entertained on the basis of the data, illustrations or descriptions in this manual.
1
7 instructionsGeneral
1
8
General instructions
General view, left side. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 General view, right side . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Multifunction switch, left . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Right handlebar fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Underneath seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Instrument cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
2
9 Overviews
2
10
Overviews
1Adjusting front spring preload ( 54)
2Adjusting windshield ( 53)
3Headlight range adjustment (below instrument cluster) ( 60)
4Clutch fluid reservoir ( 103)
5Type plate (on frame behind side cover)
6Seat lock ( 60)
7Onboard socket ( 86)
8Adjustment of rear damping ( 55)
9Engine oil level indicator ( 97)
2
11
Overviews
2
12
Overviews
1Adjuster for spring preload, rear ( 54)
2Fuel filler opening ( 73)
3Brake-fluid reservoir, front ( 101)
4Vehicle Identification Number (on steering-head bearing)
5Air filter (behind right side panel) ( 117)
6Engine oil fill location ( 98)
7Brake-fluid reservoir, rear ( 102)
2
13
Overviews
2
14
Overviews
1 Selecting readings ( 43). with onboard
computerOE
Reset average values ( 44).
2with BMW Motorrad Integral ABS IIOE
ABS operation ( 49) with Automatic Stability ControlOE
Operating ASC ( 50)
3with Electronic Suspension Adjustment (ESA)OE
Operating ESA ( 57)
4Horn
5Flashing turn indicators, left ( 46)
Hazard warning flashers ( 46)
6Headlight flasher and highbeam headlight ( 45)
1Emergency ON/OFF switch ( 47)
2Starter button ( 67)
3with heated handlebar gripsOE
Heated hand grip operation ( 48)
4Flashing turn indicators, right ( 46)
Hazard warning flashers ( 46)
5Turn indicators off ( 46) Hazard warning flashers off ( 46)
2
15
Overviews
2
16
Overviews
1Rider's Manual (US Model)
2Battery ( 121)
3Standard tool kit ( 96) Payload table (in tool tray) Tire inflation pressure table (in tool tray)
4Helmet holder ( 62)
1Speedometer
2Tachometer
3Warning and indicator lights ( 21)
4Multifunction display ( 20)
5Ambient brightness sensor (for brightness adjustment of instrument lighting)
with anti-theft alarmOE Anti-theft alarm indicator light (see anti-theft alarm operating instructions)
6Operating odometer ( 43)
Operating clock ( 41)
2
17
Overviews
2
18
Overviews
Multifunction display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Meanings of displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Warning and indicator lights. . . . . . . . . 21 Service display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Ambient temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Tire inflation pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Oil level indicator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Warning indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3
19
Status indicators
3
20
Status indicators
1 |
The horizontal bars indi- |
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cate the remaining fuel |
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level. |
2 |
Gear indicator display, "N" |
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indicates "neutral." |
3 |
Sector for warning displays |
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( 24) |
4 |
with Automatic Stability |
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ControlOE |
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ASC warning and indicator |
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displays ( 34) |
5 |
Warning indicators ( 24) |
6 |
The horizontal bars indi- |
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cate the level of the engine |
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temperature. |
7 |
with onboard |
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computerOE |
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Onboard computer dis- |
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plays ( 21) |
8 |
with Electronic Suspen- |
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sion Adjustment (ESA)OE |
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ESA setting ( 57) |
9Odometer and tripmeters ( 43)
10 Clock ( 41) with onboard computerOE
Onboard computer data sector ( 43)
CLOCK: Time display
TEMP: Ambient temperature ( 23)
Ø SPEED: Average speed since last reset
Ø FUEL: Average fuel milage since last reset
RANGE: Travel range with remaining fuel ( 22)
OIL: Oil level indicator ( 24)
with Tire Pressure Control (TPC/RDC)OE
RDC P: Tire inflation pressures ( 23)
1Indicator light for left turn indicator
2High-beam headlight indicator light
3General warning light, in conjunction with warning indicators in display ( 24)
4Neutral indicator light
5with BMW Motorrad Integral ABS IIOE
ABS warning light ( 33)
3
21
Status indicators
3 |
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6 Indicator light for right turn |
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indicator |
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The ABS symbol can be |
22 |
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shown differently depend- |
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ing on the country. |
Status indicators |
Service display |
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If the time remaining until the next service lies within a month, the service date 1 is briefly displayed following the pre-ride check. In this example the display means "March 2012".
If the motorcycle is driven long distances annually, it is possible that earlier service is required. If the odometer reading for the earlier service lies within 621 miles (1000 km), the remaining miles (kilometers) 2 are counted down in 62-mile (100-km) steps and briefly displayed following the pre-ride check.
If the service interval has been exceeded, the general
warning light also lights up yellow in addition to the date or mileage display. The Service lettering is displayed continuously.
If the service display appears more than a month
before the service date, the stored date must be adjusted in the instrument cluster. This situation can occur if the battery has been disconnected for a longer time.
Consult a certified workshop, preferably an authorized BMW Motorrad retailer, for setting of the date.
The range indicates what distance can still be driven with the remaining fuel. This distance is calculated on the basis of fuel level and average consumption. When refueling after running on reserve, make sure that you top up the tank to a level above reserve, as otherwise the sensor will not be able to register the new level. If the sensor cannot
register the new level the range display cannot be updated.
If the motorcycle is standing on the side stand, the fuel level cannot be correctly determined due to the inclined position. For this reason the range is only calculated with the side stand retracted.
The determined range is an approximate reading. BMW Motorrad therefore recommends that you do not try to use the full
range before refueling.
without onboard computerOE
The range is not displayed until after the reserve fuel quantity is reached.
with onboard computerOE
The average consumption for calculating the range is not displayed and may differ from the indicated average consumption.
When the motorcycle is stopped, the engine heat can falsify the measurement of the ambient temperature. If the influence of the engine heat becomes too great, -- is temporarily shown in the display.
If the ambient temperature drops below 37 °F (3 °C), the temperature display flashes
as a warning of possible icingup. The display automatically switches from any other mode to the temperature reading when the temperature drops below this threshold for the first time.
with Tire Pressure Control (TPC/RDC)OE
The displayed tire inflation pressures refer to a tire temperature of 68 °F (20 °C). The left-hand value 1 indicates the air pressure of the front wheel, and the right-hand value 2 the inflation pressure of the rear wheel. Immediately after switching on the ignition, -- -- is displayed, as the transfer of the inflation pressure values does not begin until a speed of 19 mph (30 km/h) is exceeded for the first time.
3
23
Status indicators
3
24
Status indicators
If the 3 symbol appears at the same time the display is a warning. The critical tire in-
flation pressure flashes.
If the critical value is at the limit of the permissible tolerance, the general warning light also lights up in yellow. If the determined tire inflation pressure is outside the permissible tolerance, the general warning light flashes in red.
Additional information on BMW Motorrad TPC/RDC is provided from page ( 82).
The oil level indicator 1 provides information on the oil level in the engine. It can only be displayed when the motorcycle is stopped.
The conditions for the oil level indicator are as follows:
Engine at operating temperature.
Engine idling for at least ten seconds.
Side-stand retracted. Motorcycle is vertical.
The readings mean: OK: Oil level correct.
CHECK: Check oil level during next refueling stop.
---: No measurement possible (above-mentioned conditions not met).
If other information of the onboard computer is displayed, this symbol continues to be shown until the oil level is de-
tected as correct again.
The most recently measured status appears in the display for five seconds the next time you switch on the ignition.
Display
Warnings are displayed with the corresponding warning light.
Warnings for which no separate warning lamp is provided are signalled by the universal warning lamp 1 and are accompanied by a warning notice such as 2 or a warning symbol such as 3 in the multifunction display. The universal warning lamp lights up in either red or yellow depending on the urgency of the warning.
If several warnings are active, all corresponding warning lights and warning symbol are displayed; warnings are shown alternately. The possible warnings are listed on the next page.
3
25
Status indicators
3
26
Status indicators
Overview of warning indicators |
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Warning light |
Displays |
Meaning |
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Lights up yellow |
EWS ! appears on |
Electronic immobilizer is active |
( 30) |
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the display |
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Lights up yellow |
FUEL ! appears |
Fuel down to reserve ( 30) |
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on the display |
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Lights up yellow |
appears on the dis- |
Engine in emergency-operation mode |
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|
play |
( 30) |
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Flashes red |
appears on the dis- |
Engine oil pressure insufficient |
( 31) |
|
play |
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Lights up red |
appears on the dis- |
Battery charge current insufficient |
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play |
( 31) |
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Lights up yellow |
LAMPR ! is indi- |
Tail light defective ( 31) |
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cated |
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LAMPF ! is indi- |
Headlight bulb or turn signal defective |
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cated |
( 32) |
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Lights up yellow |
LAMPS ! is indi- |
Bulbs defective ( 32) |
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cated |
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Warning light |
Displays |
Meaning |
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appears on the dis- |
Engine oil level too low ( 32) |
|
play |
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Check Oil is indicated
|
appears on the dis- |
Ice warning ( 32) |
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play |
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Flashes |
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ABS self-diagnosis not completed |
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( 33) |
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Lights up |
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ABS deactivated ( 33) |
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Lights up |
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ABS error ( 33) |
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appears on the dis- |
ASC intervention ( 34) |
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play |
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Flashes rapidly yel- |
appears on the dis- |
Offroad ASC intervention ( 34) |
low |
play |
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Flashes slowly |
ASC self-diagnosis not completed |
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( 34) |
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3
27
Status indicators
3
28
Status indicators
Warning light |
Displays |
Meaning |
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Flashes slowly |
ASC self-diagnosis routine in off-road |
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mode is not yet completed ( 34) |
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appears on the dis- |
ASC deactivated ( 35) |
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play |
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Lights up yellow |
appears on the dis- |
ASC error ( 35) |
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play |
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Lights up yellow |
appears on the dis- |
Tire inflation pressure in limit area of |
|
play |
permissible tolerance ( 35) |
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The critical tire |
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inflation pressure |
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flashes |
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Flashes red |
appears on the dis- |
Tire inflation pressure outside permissi- |
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play |
ble tolerance ( 36) |
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The critical tire |
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inflation pressure |
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flashes |
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"--" or "-- --" |
Transmission error ( 36) |
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is indicated |
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