BMW 325xi (2006 year). Instruction - part 6

 

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BMW 325xi (2006 year). Instruction - part 6

 

 

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4.

Select "Date" and press the controller.

5.

Select "Set date" and press the controller. 
The first date display setting is selected.

6.

Turn the controller to make the adjustment.

7.

Press the controller to apply the setting. 
The next setting is highlighted.

8.

Make the remaining adjustments. After the 
last adjustment, the date is stored.

Setting the date format

1.

Open the start menu.

2.

Press the controller to open the   menu.

3.

Select "Display settings" and press the 
controller.

4.

Select "Date" and press the controller.

5.

Select "Date format" and press the control-
ler.

6.

Select the desired format and press the 
controller.

Check Control

The concept

The Check Control monitors vehicle functions 
and alerts you to any malfunctions in the sys-
tems monitored. Such a Check Control mes-
sage includes indicator and warning lamps in 
the instrument cluster and, in some circum-
stances, an acoustic signal as well as text mes-
sages at the bottom of the Control Display.

Indicator and warning lamps

Indicator and warning lamps can light up in both 
the indicator area 

1 and the display 2 in various 

combinations and colors.

Explanatory text messages

Text messages at the lower edge of the Control 
Display explain the meaning of the displayed 
indicator and warning lamps.

For most Check Control messages, you can 
view more information later, e.g. regarding the 
cause of a malfunction and how to respond, 
refer to page

80

.

In urgent cases, this information will be shown 
immediately as soon as the corresponding lamp 
comes on.
To exit the displayed information: 
Select the 

 arrow and press the controller.

Everything under control

80

Hiding Check Control messages

Press the button in the turn indicator stalk.

Some Check Control messages remain visible 
until the malfunction in question has been recti-
fied. They cannot be hidden. If several malfunc-
tions occur at the same time, the Check Control 
messages are displayed in succession.

They are marked with the symbol shown 
here.

Other Check Control messages are automati-
cally hidden after approx. 20 seconds, but 
remain stored.

They are marked with the symbol shown 
here.

 indicates that Check Control messages have 

been stored. You can view the Check Control 
messages whenever it is convenient for you.

Viewing stored Check Control 
messages

1.

Lightly push button 

1 in the turn indicator 

stalk up or down repeatedly until the appro-
priate symbol appears in the display, 
accompanied by the words "CHECK CON-
TROL".

2.

Press button 

2.

"CHECK OK" appears if there are no Check 
Control messages.
If a Check Control message has been 
stored, the corresponding lamp comes on. 
It is accompanied by a text message on the 
Control Display.

3.

Lightly push button 

1 to check for other 

messages.

4.

Press button 

2.

The display again shows the outside tem-
perature and the time.

Viewing more information later

iDrive concept, refer to page

16

.

1.

Press the 

 button.

This opens the start menu.

2.

Press the controller to open the   menu.

3.

Select "Service" and press the controller.

4.

If necessary, move the highlight marker to 
the uppermost field. Turn the controller 

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until "Check Control messages" is selected 
and press the controller.

5.

Select a text message and press the con-
troller.

To exit the display: 
Select the 

 arrow and press the controller.

Speed limit

You can enter a speed, and a Check Control 
message will indicate when you reach this 
speed. This enables you, for example, to 
receive warnings if you exceed a speed limit in 
an urban area. 
You are only warned of reaching this speed a 
second time if your vehicle speed falls below it 
again by at least 3 mph or 5 km/h.

Displaying, setting or changing the 

limit

iDrive concept, refer to page

16

.

1.

Open the start menu.

2.

Call up "Navigation".

3.

Select "Car Data" and press the controller.

4.

Select "Limit" and press the controller.

5.

Select the speed value and press the con-
troller.

6.

Turn the controller to set the limit.

7.

Press the controller to apply the setting.
The limit is automatically switched on.

Applying your current speed as limit

Select "Select current speed" and press the 
controller. The system adopts your current 
speed as the limit.

Activating the limit

Select "On" and press the controller.

 Limit is activated.

Stopwatch

iDrive concept, refer to page

16

.

1.

Open the start menu.

2.

Call up "Navigation".

3.

Select "Car Data" and press the controller.

4.

Select "Stopwatch" and press the control-
ler.

Everything under control

82

Starting, stopping or resetting

>

Select "Start" and press the controller. 
The stopwatch starts at the displayed time.

>

Select "Reset" and press the controller. 
The stopwatch is reset and restarts if it was 
running beforehand.

>

Select "Stop" and press the controller. 
This stops the timer.

Taking an interim time reading

Select "Interim time" and press the controller. 
The interim time appears below the ongoing 
primary stopwatch count.

All of the remaining functions remain 
available at all times while the stopwatch 

is running. The stopwatch continues operation 
in the background.

<

Altering settings

Language on the Control Display

The language on the Control Display can be set, 
refer to the concept on page

16

. The setting is 

stored for the remote control currently in use.

1.

Open the start menu.

2.

Press the controller to open the   menu.

3.

Select "Display settings" and press the 
controller.

4.

If necessary, move the highlight marker to 
the uppermost field. Turn the controller 
until "Languages" is selected and press the 
controller.

5.

Select "Text language" and press the con-
troller. You can switch to another language 

for the display texts and navigation mes-
sages.

6.

Select and activate the desired language by 
pressing the controller.

Brightness of the Control Display

The brightness is automatically adapted to the 
ambient lighting conditions. Note, however, 
that you can change the basic setting while the 
low beams are switched on. The setting is 
stored for the remote control currently in use.

1.

Open the start menu.

2.

Press the controller to open the   menu.

3.

Select "Display settings" and press the 
controller.

4.

Select "Brightness" and press the control-
ler.

5.

Turn the controller until the desired setting 
is selected.

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Technology for driving comfort and safety

PDC Park Distance Control*

The concept

The PDC assists you with maneuvering in tight 
parking spaces.  Acoustic signals and a visual 
indicator

 

warn you of the presence of an object 

in front of

or behind your car. To measure the 

distance, there are four ultrasonic sensors in 
each bumper.
These sensors have a range of approx. 6.5 ft/
2 m. However, an acoustic warning does not 
sound until an object is approx. 2 ft/60 cm from 
the front sensors

*

 or both rear corner sensors, 

or approx. 5 ft/1.50 m from the rear center sen-
sors.

PDC is a parking aid that can indicate 
objects when they are approached 

slowly, as is usually the case when parking. 
Avoid approaching an object at high speed, oth-
erwise physical circumstances may lead to the 
system warning being issued too late.

<

Automatic mode

With the engine running or the ignition switched 
on, the system is activated automatically after 
approx. 1 second when you engage reverse 
gear or move the automatic transmission selec-
tor lever to position R. Wait this short period 
before driving.

Switching on manually

Press the button, the LED lights up.

Switching off manually

Press the button again; the LED goes out.
The system is automatically deactivated once 
the vehicle travels approx. 165 ft/50 m or 
exceeds a speed of approx. 20 mph or 30 km/h; 
the LED goes out. You can reactivate the sys-
tem as needed.

Signal tones

When nearing an object, its position is indicated 
correspondingly by an interval tone. For exam-
ple, the tone sounds at the rear if the system 
detects an object behind the car. As the dis-
tance between vehicle and object decreases, 
the intervals between the tones become 
shorter. If the distance to the nearest object 
falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then a contin-
uous tone sounds.
The warning signal is canceled after approx. 
3 seconds, if you are moving parallel to a wall.

Malfunction

The indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster comes on. PDC is malfunc-
tioning. A message appears on the 

Control Display. Have the system checked.
To avoid this problem, keep the sensors clean 
and free of ice or snow in order to ensure that 
they will continue to operate effectively. When 
using a high-pressure cleaner, do not spray the 
sensors for extended periods of time and only 
from a distance of at least 4 in/10 cm.

Manual mode

The LED above the button flashes in addition.

PDC with optical warning

You can also have the system show distances 
to objects on the Control Display. The contours 
of distant objects are shown on the Control Dis-
play even before the acoustic signal sounds.
iDrive concept, refer to page

16

.

Technology for driving comfort and safety

84

1.

Open the start menu.

2.

Press the controller to open the   menu.

3.

Select "Vehicle settings" and press the 
controller.

4.

If necessary, move the highlight marker to 
the uppermost field. Turn the controller 
until "PDC" is selected and press the con-
troller.

5.

Select "PDC display on" and press the con-
troller.

6.

 The PDC screen is activated.

The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
The display is shown on the Control Display as 
soon as PDC is activated.

System limitations

Even with PDC, final responsibility for 
estimating the distance between the 

vehicle and any obstructions always remains 
with the driver. Even when sensors are pro-
vided, there is a blind spot in which objects can 
no longer be detected. The system is also sub-
ject to the physical limits that apply to all forms 
of ultrasonic measurement, such as those 
encountered with trailer towbars and couplings, 
thin and wedge-shaped objects, etc. Low 
objects already indicated, such as a curb, may 
enter the sensors' dead areas before a continu-
ous audible signal is given. Higher, protruding 
objects, such as ledges, may not be detectable. 
Loud sound sources outside or inside the car 
can drown out the PDC signal.

<

Driving stability control 

systems

Your BMW has a number of systems that help 
to maintain the vehicle's stability even in 
adverse driving conditions.

ABS Antilock Brake System

ABS prevents locking of the wheels during 
braking. Safe steering response is maintained 
even during full braking. Active safety is thus 
increased.
The ABS is operational every time you start the 
engine. Braking safely, refer to page

117

.

Electronic brake-force distribution

The system controls the brake pressure in the 
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.

DBC Dynamic Brake Control

When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system 
automatically produces the maximum braking 
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-
est possible braking distance during full brak-
ing. This system exploits all of the benefits pro-
vided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake for the 
duration of the brake application. If the brake is 
released, DBC will be switched off.

DSC Dynamic Stability Control

DSC prevents the driving wheels from losing 
traction when you pull away from rest or accel-
erate. DSC also recognizes unstable driving 
conditions, for example if the rear of the car is 
about to swerve or if momentum is acting at an 
angle past the front wheels. In these cases, 
DSC helps the vehicle maintain a safe course 
within physical limits by reducing engine output 
and through braking actions at the individual 
wheels.

The laws of physics cannot be repealed, 
even with DSC. An appropriate driving 

style always remains the responsibility of the 
driver. Therefore, do not reduce the additional 
safety margin again by taking risks.

<

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Deactivating DSC

Press the button for at least 3 seconds; the indi-
cator lamps for DSC in the instrument cluster 
light up. Dynamic Traction Control DTC and 
DSC have been simultaneously deactivated. 
Stabilizing and drive-output promoting actions 
are no longer executed.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again 
as soon as possible.

Activating DSC

Press the button again; the indicator lamps in 
the instrument cluster go out.

To control

If the indicator lamp flashes: 
DSC controls the drive forces and 
brake forces.
If the indicator lamps are on: 
DSC has been completely deacti-
vated.

DTC Dynamic Traction Control

DTC is a version of DSC in which the drive out-
put is optimized for particular road conditions, 
e.g. unplowed snow-covered roads. The sys-
tem assures the maximal drive output, but with 
reduced driving stability. It is therefore neces-
sary to drive with appropriate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC 
under the following special circumstances:

>

When driving uphill on snow-covered roads, 
in slush or on unplowed, snow-covered 
roads

>

When rocking a stuck vehicle free or start-
ing off in deep snow or on loose ground

>

When driving with snow chains

Activating DTC

Briefly press the button; the DTC indicator 
lamps in the instrument cluster come on.

To control

If the indicator lamp flashes: 
DTC controls the drive forces and 
brake forces.
If the indicator lamps are on: 
DTC has been activated.

Deactivating DTC

Press the button again; the DTC indicator 
lamps in the instrument cluster go out.

xDrive 325xi, 330xi

xDrive is your BMW's four-wheel-drive system. 
The combined efforts of xDrive and DSC help to 
further optimize traction and driving dynamics. 
The xDrive four-wheel-drive system distributes 
driving power variably to the front and rear axles 
depending on the driving situation and road 
conditions.

Malfunction

In case of any of the malfunctions 
described below, drive cautiously and 

think well ahead. Avoid driving on rough tracks 
and pressing the accelerator pedal down to full 
throttle or kick-down position, otherwise the 
drive system could be damaged or accidents 
could result.

<

Technology for driving comfort and safety

86

The warning lamps come on. xDrive 
has failed.
Have the system checked as soon as 
possible.
The warning lamps come on. xDrive 
and DSC have failed.
Have the system checked as soon as 
possible.

Hill Descent Control HDC 325xi, 330xi

HDC is a downhill driving assistant that reduces 
your speed on steep downhill gradients and 
makes it even easier to control your BMW's 
handling under these conditions. The vehicle 
then moves slightly faster than double walking 
speed without the driver needing to intervene.
HDC can be activated as long as you are driving 
under approx. 20 mph or 35 km/h. When driving 
downhill at a speed of under approx. 20 mph or 
35 km/h, the vehicle's speed is automatically 
reduced to slightly more than double walking 
speed and maintained.

Increasing or decreasing speed

By accelerating or braking you can change the 
speed within a range from approx. 3 to 15 mph, 
approx. 5 to 25 km/h.
You can specify a target speed within the same 
range using the cruise control stalk.

To increase speed
To decrease speed

Activating HDC

Press the button; the indicator lamp lights up.
The indicator lamp flashes when the vehicle is 
being braked automatically.

Deactivating HDC

Press the button again; the indicator lamp goes 
out.
HDC is deactivated instantly above a speed of 
approx. 35 mph or 60 km/h, or approx. 
10 seconds after the ignition is switched off.

Using HDC

In cars with manual transmission:
Use HDC in lower gears and in reverse gear.
With automatic transmission:
You can use HDC in any drive position.

Displays in the instrument cluster

Display for target speed
HDC display

Malfunction

The HDC display disappears during HDC oper-
ation, or does not appear:
HDC is temporarily unavailable due to exces-
sive brake temperature, or DSC has failed.

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Malfunction in driving stability control 
systems

The warning lamps come on. DSC 
including DTC and DBC is malfunc-
tioning. 
The vehicle remains operational. 

Have the system checked as soon as possible.

Drive cautiously and think well ahead, 
otherwise unstable driving conditions 

could result.

<

323i*, 325i, 330i

The warning lamps for the brake sys-
tem come on in red, together with the 
yellow indicator lamps for driving sta-
bility control systems and FTM:
The driving stability control systems 
and the Flat Tire Monitor have failed.

All warning lamps come on in yellow:
The driving stability control systems and the 
Flat Tire Monitor have failed. The electronic 
brake-force distribution is still active.
Have the system checked as soon as possible.

Drive cautiously, think well ahead and 
avoid full brake applications, otherwise 

accidents could result.

<

Display

of this malfunction on Cana-

dian models.

Display

of this malfunction on Cana-

dian models.

With xDrive 325xi, 330xi

If one of the malfunctions described 
below occurs, drive cautiously and think 

well ahead. Also avoid situations that require full 
braking, otherwise accidents could result. 
Avoid driving on rough tracks and pressing the 
accelerator pedal down to full throttle or kick-
down position, otherwise the drive system 
could be damaged.

<

The warning lamps for the brake sys-
tem come on in red, together with the 
yellow indicator lamps for driving sta-
bility control systems and FTM:
The driving stability control systems 
and the Flat Tire Monitor have failed.

All warning lamps come on in yellow:
The driving stability control systems and the 
Flat Tire Monitor have failed. The electronic 
brake-force distribution is still active.
Have the system checked as soon as possible.

Display

of this malfunction on Cana-

dian models.

Display

of this malfunction on Cana-

dian models.

Drive-off assistant

The drive-off assistant enables you to drive off 
smoothly on uphill gradients. It is not necessary 
to use the handbrake for this.

1.

Hold the car in place by depressing the 
brake.

2.

Release the brake and drive off without 
delay.

The drive-off assistant holds the car in 
place for approx. 2 seconds after the 

brake is released. Depending on vehicle load, 
the car may roll backwards a little during this 
time span. Drive off without delay after releas-
ing the brake. Otherwise, the drive-off assistant 
will no longer hold the car in place after approx. 
2 seconds and the car will start to roll back-
wards.

<

Technology for driving comfort and safety

88

Malfunction

The warning lamps for the brake sys-
tem light up in yellow. The drive-off 
assistant has failed. The car will not 
be held in place after the brake is 

released. Have the system checked as soon as 
possible.

Canadian models display these warn-
ing lamps.

Flat Tire Monitor FTM

The concept

The Flat Tire Monitor monitors tire pressures 
while the car is being driven. The system 
reports any significant loss of pressure in one 
tire in relation to another.
If a tire loses pressure, its rolling radius 
changes, and this in turn alters the speed of 
rotation. This change is detected and is 
reported as a flat tire.

Functional requirement

In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat 
tire, the system must be initialized for the cor-
rect tire inflation pressure.

The system must be reinitialized each 
time a tire inflation pressure has been cor-

rected or a wheel or tire has been changed.

<

System limitations

The Flat Tire Monitor is unable to warn 
the driver of sudden, severe tire damage 

caused by external factors, nor can it identify 
the gradual loss of pressure that will inevitably 
occur in all four tires over a lengthy period of 
time.

<

In the following situations, the system could be 
delayed or malfunction:

>

System has not been initialized

>

Driving on snowy or slippery road surface

>

Performance-oriented style of driving: slip 
in the drive wheels, high lateral acceleration

>

If snow chains are attached

Initializing the system

The initialization is completed during driv-
ing, which can be interrupted at any time. 

When driving resumes, the initialization is con-
tinued automatically. 
Do not initialize the system while snow chains 
are attached.

<

iDrive concept, refer to page

16

.

1.

Press the 

 button.

This opens the start menu.

2.

Press the controller to open the   menu.

3.

Select "Vehicle settings" and press the 
controller.

4.

If necessary, move the highlight marker to 
the uppermost field. Turn the controller 
until "FTM" is selected and press the con-
troller.

5.

Start the engine, but do not start driving.

6.

Select "Set tire pressure" and press the 
controller.

7.

Select "Yes" and press the controller.

8.

Start to drive.
"Status: FTM active" reappears in the Con-

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trol Display. Initialization is then completed 
while the car is in motion.

Indication of a flat tire

The warning lamps come on in yellow 
and red. A message appears on the 
Control Display. In addition, an 
acoustic signal sounds. There is a flat 

tire or substantial loss of tire pressure.

1.

Cautiously reduce speed to below 50 mph 
or 80 km/h. Avoid sudden braking and 
steering maneuvers. Do not exceed a speed 
of 50 mph or 80 km/h.

If the car is not equipped with Run-
Flat Tires, refer to page

196

, the stan-

dard equipment by design, do not continue 
driving. Otherwise a severe accident could 
result after a tire puncture.

<

2.

At the next opportunity, check the air pres-
sure in all four tires.

If all four tires are inflated to the cor-
rect pressures, the Flat Tire Monitor 

might not have been initialized. The system 
must then be initialized.

<

3.

In the event of complete tire pressure loss, 
0 psi/0 kPa, you can estimate the possible 
distance for continued driving on the basis 
of the following guidelines:

>

With a light load: 
1 to 2 persons without luggage: 
approx. 155 miles/250 km

>

With a medium load: 
2 persons, luggage compartment full, or 
4 persons without luggage: 
approx. 90 miles/150 km

>

With a full load: 
4 or more persons, luggage compart-
ment full: 
approx. 30 miles/50 km

Drive cautiously and do not exceed a 
speed of 50 mph or 80 km/h. In the event 

of pressure loss, vehicle handling changes. This 
includes reduced tracking stability in braking, 
extended braking distance and altered natural 
steering characteristics. 
If unusual vibration or loud noises occur during 

the journey, this may be an indication that the 
damaged tire has finally failed. Reduce your 
speed and pull over to the side of the road at the 
earliest opportunity. Otherwise, parts of the tire 
could come loose and cause an accident. Do 
not continue driving. Contact your BMW Cen-
ter.

<

Malfunction

The warning lamps come on in yel-
low. A message appears on the Con-
trol Display. The Flat Tire Monitor has 
a malfunction or has failed. Have the 

system checked as soon as possible.

Active steering*

The concept

Active steering varies the turning angle of the 
front wheels in relation to steering wheel move-
ments. It also varies the steering force required 
to turn the wheels depending on the speed at 
which you are driving.
When you are driving in the low road-speed 
range, e.g. in a town or when parking, the steer-
ing angle increases, i.e. the steering becomes 
very direct, and less effort is required to turn the 
wheels. In the higher speed range, on the other 
hand, the steering angle is reduced more and 
more. This improves the handling capability of 
your BMW over the entire speed range.
In critical situations, the system can make tar-
geted corrections to the steering angle pro-
vided by the driver and thus stabilize the vehicle 
before the driver intervenes. This stabilizing 
intervention is simultaneously deactivated 
when DSC is switched off, refer to page

85

.

Malfunction

The warning lamps come on. Active 
steering is no longer operational. At 
low speeds, greater steering wheel 
movements are required, whereas at 

higher speeds the vehicle reacts more sensi-
tively to steering wheel movements. Drive cau-

Technology for driving comfort and safety

90

tiously and think well ahead. Have the system 
checked.
If the warning lamp lights up during the first 
engine starting following a power supply inter-
ruption, the system must be activated by being 
initialized.

Brake Force Display*

The brake lamps light up in two stages, 
depending on how sharply you apply the 
brakes.

>

Normal braking: 
The brake lamps and the center brake lamp 
light up.

>

Sharp braking: 
The illuminated surface of the brake lamps 
is enlarged, as long as the rear fog light is 
not switched on.

Airbags

The following airbags are located under the 
marked covers:
Front airbags
Head airbags
Side airbags

Protective action

Observe the adjustment instructions on 
page

40

 to ensure the best possible per-

sonal protection.

<

The front airbags help protect the driver and 
front passenger by responding to frontal 

impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-
vide adequate restraint. When needed, the 
head and side airbags help provide protection in 
the event of side impact. The relevant side air-
bag supports the side upper body area. The 
head air bag supports the head.
The airbags will purposely not be activated by 
every collision, e.g. not by more minor acci-
dents, certain roll-over situations and rear-end 
collisions.

Do not apply adhesive materials to the 
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or 

modify them in any other way. Do not attach 

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seat covers, cushions or other objects not spe-
cifically approved for seats with integral side air-
bags to the front seats. Do not hang items of 
clothing such as coats or jackets over the back-
rests. Do not attempt to remove the airbag 
retention system from the vehicle. Do not mod-
ify the individual components of the system or 
its wiring in any way. This includes the uphol-
stered covers on the steering wheel, instrument 
panel, seats and roof posts, as well as the sides 
of the roof lining. Do not attempt to remove or 
dismantle the steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components imme-
diately after the system has been triggered, 
because there is a danger of burns.
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation, or 
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have 
the testing, repair, removal, and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a BMW Cen-
ter or a workshop that works according to BMW 
repair procedures with correspondingly trained 
personnel and has the required explosives 
licenses. Unprofessional attempts to service 
the system could lead to failure in an emer-
gency or undesired airbag activation, either of 
which could result in personal injury.

<

Warning notices and information about the air-
bags can also be found on the sun visors.

Automatic deactivation of the front 

passenger airbags

An analysis of the impression in the front pas-
senger seat cushion determines whether and 
how the seat is occupied. The front and side air-
bags for the front passenger are activated or 
deactivated by the system accordingly.

The indicator lamp above the interior 
rearview mirror shows the current status 

of the front passenger airbags, deactivated or 
activated, refer to Status of front passenger air-
bags below.

Before transporting a child on the front 
passenger seat, read the safety precau-

tions and handling instructions under Trans-
porting children safely, refer to page

49

.

The front and side airbags can also be deacti-
vated by adolescents and adults sitting in cer-
tain positions; the indicator lamp for the front 

passenger airbags comes on. In such cases, the 
passenger should change his or her sitting 
position so that the front passenger airbags are 
activated and the indicator lamp goes out. If the 
desired airbag status cannot be achieved by 
changing the sitting position, transport the rele-
vant passenger on a rear seat. Do not attach 
seat covers, seat cushion padding, ball mats or 
other items to the front passenger seat unless 
they are specifically recommended by BMW. 
Do not place any items under the seat which 
could press against the seat from below. Other-
wise a correct analysis of the seat cushion is not 
ensured.

<

Status of front passenger airbags

The indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags shows the functional status of the front 
passenger's front and side airbags in accor-
dance with whether and how the front passen-
ger seat is occupied. The indicator lamp shows 
whether the front passenger airbags are acti-
vated or deactivated.

>

The indicator lamp comes on as intended 
when a child in a specially designated child-
restraint system is detected on the seat.
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are not activated.

>

The indicator lamp does not come on as 
long as a person of sufficient size and in a 
correct sitting position is detected on the 
seat.
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are activated.

>

The indicator lamp does not come on if the 
seat is empty.
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are not activated.

Technology for driving comfort and safety

92

Operational readiness of airbag system

As of radio readiness, refer to page

52

, the 

warning lamp comes on briefly to indicate that 
the entire airbag system and the belt tensioners 
are operational.

Airbag system malfunction

>

Warning lamp does not come on along with 
radio readiness

>

Warning lamp remains permanently on

In the event of a fault in the airbag system, 
have it checked without delay, otherwise 

there is the risk that the system will not function 
as intended even if a sufficiently severe acci-
dent occurs.

<

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Lamps

Parking lamps/low beams

Lamps off and daytime driving lamps
Parking lamps and daytime driving lamps
Low beams
Automatic headlamp control

and Adaptive 

Head Light

*

Parking lamps

In switch position

1, the front, rear and side 

vehicle lighting is switched on. You can use the 
parking lamps for parking. For the additional 
option of roadside parking lamps on one side of 
the car only, refer to page

95

.

The parking lamps will discharge the bat-
tery. Therefore, do not leave them on for 

unduly long periods of time, otherwise the bat-
tery might not have enough power to start the 
engine.

<

Low beams

The low beams light up when the light switch is 
in position 

2 and the ignition is on.

If desired, the light switch can remain in the low-
beam headlamp position. The exterior lamps 
are automatically switched off after the vehicle 
is parked.
If necessary, switch on the parking lamps as 
described in the section about parking lamps.

Automatic headlamp control*

When the switch is in position

3, the low beams 

are switched on and off automatically depend-

ing on ambient light conditions, e.g. in a tunnel, 
in twilight, or if there is precipitation. The LED 
next to the symbol is illuminated when the low 
beams are on.
When driving into tunnels with bright overhead 
lights, there may be a delay before the head-
lamps come on.
The headlamps may also come on when the 
sun is sitting low on a blue sky.

The low beams remain switched on inde-
pendent of the ambient lighting condi-

tions when you switch on the fog lamps

*

.

When the daytime driving lamps are activated, 
refer to page

94

, the low-beam headlamps are 

always switched on when the switch is in posi-
tion 

3 and the ignition is on.

<

If desired, the light switch can remain in position 
3. The exterior lamps are automatically 
switched off after the vehicle is parked.

The automatic headlamp control cannot 
serve as a substitute for your personal 

judgment in determining when the lamps 
should be switched on in response to ambient 
lighting conditions. For example, the system 
cannot detect fog or hazy weather. To avoid 
safety risks, you should always switch on the 
lamps manually under these conditions.

<

Adjusting sensitivity

You can program how sensitively the system 
reacts to ambient light.
iDrive concept, refer to page

16

.

1.

Press the 

 button.

This opens the start menu.

2.

Press the controller to open the   menu.

3.

Select "Vehicle settings" and press the 
controller.

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94

4.

Select "Lighting" and press the controller.

5.

Select "Auto. headlamps" and press the 
controller.

6.

Select a menu item:

>

"Sensitive"

>

"Normal"

>

"Slower"

7.

Press the controller.

Pathway lighting

If you activate the headlamp flasher after park-
ing the car, with the lights switched off, the low 
beams come on and remain on for a certain 
time.
You can adjust the operating period or deacti-
vate the function.

1.

Open the start menu.

2.

Press the controller to open the   menu.

3.

Select "Vehicle settings" and press the 
controller.

4.

Select "Lighting" and press the controller.

5.

Select "Pathway lighting" and press the 
controller.

6.

Turn the controller to select the corre-
sponding duration.

7.

Press the controller to apply the setting.

Daytime driving lamps

If desired, the light switch can remains in the 
Lamps off position or the Parking lamps posi-
tion. 
In the Lamps off position, the exterior lamps are 
automatically switched off after the vehicle is 
parked. In the Parking lamps position, the park-
ing lamps come on after the ignition is switched 
off.
If necessary, switch on the parking lamps as 
described in the section about parking lamps.

Activating/deactivating daytime 
driving lamps*

1.

Open the start menu.

2.

Press the controller to open the   menu.

3.

Select "Vehicle settings" and press the 
controller.

4.

Select "Lighting" and press the controller.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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