headlamp BMW 650I CONVERTIBLE 2007 E64 Owner's Manual
Page 12 of 254
Cockpit
10
Cockpit
Around the steering wheel: controls and displays
1Convertible: opening and closing rear 
window40
2Convertible: opening and closing windows 
together39
3Convertible: opening and closing rear 
windows39
4Opening and closing front windows39
5Adjusting exterior mirrors54
Automatic curb monitor546
Turn signals65
High beams, 
headlamp flasher104
Roadside parking lamps104
Check Control80
Computer76 
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At a glance
 11Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
7Buttons on steering wheel
8Instrument cluster12
11Ignition lock59
12Horn, entire surface15Releasing hood206
16Opening luggage compartment lid34 Mobile phone
*175
>Press: accepting and ending 
call, starting dialing
* for 
selected phone number and 
redialing if no phone number is 
selected
>Press and hold: redialing
Volume
Activating/deactivating voice 
command system
* 22
Changing radio station156
Selecting music track166
Scrolling in phone book and in lists 
with stored phone numbers
Individually programmable
*55 
Individually programmable55 
9
Windshield wipers66
Rain sensor66
10Starting/stopping engine and 
switching ignition on/off 59
13
Steering wheel heater
*55
Steering wheel adjustment55
14
Cruise control67
Active cruise control
*68
17
Head-Up Display
*97
BMW Night Vision
*99
18
Parking lamps102
Low beams102
Daytime running lamps
*103
Automatic headlamp control102
Daytime running lamps
*103
Adaptive Head Light
*103
19
Instrument lighting104
Fog lamps104 
Page 15 of 254
At a glance
 13Reference
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Indicator and warning lamps
The concept
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in 
different combinations and colors.
When the engine is started or the ignition is 
switched on, some lamps are checked for 
proper operation and light up briefly in the pro-
cess.
Explanatory text messages
Text messages at the bottom edge of the Con-
trol Display explain the meaning of the indicator 
and warning lamps displayed.
You can consult Check Control for additional 
information, e.g. regarding the cause of a mal-
function or the appropriate actions to take, refer 
to page80.In urgent cases, this information will be shown 
as soon as the corresponding lamp lights up.
Indicator lamps without text messages
The following indicator lamps indicate that the 
associated functions are activated:
Handbrake applied61
Handbrake for Canadian models
Fog lamps104
DTC Dynamic Traction Control89
High beams/headlamp flasher104
Lamp flashes:
DSC or DTC is controlling the drive 
and braking forces to maintain vehicle 
stability88 
Page 67 of 254
Controls
 65Reference
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Mobility
Activating system
With the ignition switched on, press the SPORT 
button.
The LED in the button lights up and SPORT is 
displayed in the instrument cluster.
Deactivating system
>Press the SPORT button again or
>shift into reverse or
>switch off the engine.
The LED in the button and SPORT in the instru-
ment cluster go out.
Acceleration assistant with SMG
The acceleration assistant enables optimized 
vehicle acceleration at race car level on road 
surfaces with good adhesion when starting off.
Do not use the acceleration assistant too 
often; otherwise, components will wear 
prematurely.<
1.Activate the Dynamic Driving Control.
2.Deactivate DSC, refer to page88.
3.Press the accelerator pedal down fully:
kick-down. The ideal starting-off engine 
speed is set.
To maintain vehicle stability, reactivate 
DSC afterward.<
Turn signals/
headlamp flasher
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Turn signals
Using turn signals
Move the lever beyond the resistance point.
To switch off manually, only press the lever to 
the resistance point.
Atypically rapid flashing of the indicator 
lamp indicates the failure of a turn signal 
lamp.<
Signaling briefly
Press the lever to the resistance point and hold 
it there as long as you wish to signal.
Triple turn signal activation
Press the lever to the resistance point; the turn 
signals flash three times.
You can activate or deactivate this function.
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to 
page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-
troller. 
Page 68 of 254
Driving
66 5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Lighting" is selected and 
press the controller.
6.Select "Triple turn signal" and press the 
controller.
 Triple turn signal is activated.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Wiper system
1Switching on wipers
2Switching off wipers or brief wipe
3Activating/deactivating rain sensor
4Cleaning windshield, headlamps and 
BMW Night Vision camera
*
5Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level
Switching on wipers
Pull the lever upward, arrow1.
The lever automatically returns to its initial posi-
tion when released.
Normal wiper speed
Press once. 
The system reverts to operation in the intermit-
tent mode whenever the vehicle is stationary.
Fast wiper speed
Briefly press twice or press beyond the resis-
tance point. 
The system reverts to operation at normal 
speed whenever the vehicle is stationary.
Rain sensor
Wiper operation is controlled automatically as a 
function of the rain intensity. The rain sensor is 
located on the windshield, directly in front of the 
interior rearview mirror.
Activating rain sensor
Press the button, arrow3. The LED in the but-
ton lights up.
Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level
Turn the knurled wheel5.
Deactivating rain sensor
Press the button again, arrow3. The LED goes 
out.
Deactivate the rain sensor when passing 
through an automatic car wash. Failure to 
do so could result in damage caused by undes-
ired wiper activation.< 
Page 69 of 254
Controls
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Mobility
Cleaning windshield, headlamps and 
BMW Night Vision camera*
Pull the lever, arrow4:
The system sprays washer fluid against the 
windshield and activates the wipers for a brief 
period.
With the vehicle lighting switched on, the head-
lamps and the BMW Night Vision camera are 
also cleaned simultaneously at suitable inter-
vals.
Do not use the washers if there is any 
danger that the fluid will freeze on the 
windshield. If you do so, your vision could be 
obscured. To avoid freezing, use a washer fluid 
antifreeze, refer to Washer fluid. Do not use 
washers when the washer fluid reservoir is 
empty, as this will damage the washer pump.<
Windshield washer nozzles
Both windshield washer nozzles are automati-
cally heated with the engine running or the igni-
tion switched on.
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable. 
Always keep it well away from sparks and 
open flames, and store it in tightly closed con-
tainers well out of the reach of children. Always 
follow the instructions for use provided on the 
containers.<
Filler neck for washer fluid
All washer nozzles are supplied from one reser-
voir.Fill with water and – if required – with a washer 
antifreeze, according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
In order to maintain the mixture ratio, mix 
the washer fluid before filling.<
Capacity
Capacity approx. 5.3 US quarts/5 liters.
Cruise control
The concept
The cruise control is available for use at speeds 
of approx. 20 mph/30 km/h and higher. The 
vehicle stores and maintains the speed that you 
set using the lever mounted on the steering col-
umn.
Do not use the cruise control under driv-
ing conditions that do not permit a con-
stant speed, e.g. when driving on winding 
roads, in heavy traffic or in poor road conditions 
such as snow, rain, ice, and loose road surface. 
Otherwise, you could lose control of the vehicle 
and cause an accident.<
One lever for all functions
1Maintaining speed, storing speed, and 
accelerating
2Maintaining speed, storing speed, and 
decelerating
3Interrupting cruise control
4Resuming stored speed 
Page 102 of 254
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
100 >on steep hilltops or depressions and in tight 
curves
>in tunnels, as the contrast is inherently low
>when the camera lens is dirty
>in dense fog, heavy rain or snowfall
>when displaying very hot objects such as 
transformers, car exhausts etc.
>when the image briefly freezes during nor-
mal system adjustment.
BMW Night Vision's potential benefits 
can be limited by the driving style of the 
driver, the size and relative temperature of the 
detected objects, dirt or contamination on the 
camera lens, adverse weather like snow, rain or 
fog, and other factors not mentioned here. It will 
always be the driver's responsibility to drive at a 
speed and in a manner that recognizes potential 
hazards and adjust accordingly.
BMW Night Vision is not a substitute or replace-
ment for driver responsibility or for accommo-
dating the visibility conditions and the traffic sit-
uation. The forward view illuminated by the 
headlamps must always be the basis for making 
safe driving decisions, otherwise a safety risk 
will result.<
Activating BMW Night Vision
1.Turn the light switch to position2 or3, refer 
to page102.
2.With low beams switched on:
>Press the   button. Depending on the 
vehicle's equipment, the location of the 
button may differ somewhat.
>Press one of the programmable buttons 
on the steering wheel, refer to page55.The image will be displayed on the Control Dis-
play after a few seconds. Depending on the last 
mode selected, either the normal or full screen 
image will be displayed.
Due to the system's need to adjust periodically, 
a still image is displayed at certain intervals for 
fractions of a second. This is normal and not an 
indication of a problem.
To prevent driving without headlamps, at a 
speed of more than approx. 3 mph/5 km/h and 
when dark, the thermal image on the Control 
Display is only shown when the low beams are 
on.
Deactivating BMW Night Vision
>Press the   button.
>Press the button on the steering wheel.
>Press the   button.
>Via iDrive, refer to Selecting settings.
Selecting settings
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to 
page16.
1.Activate BMW Night Vision.
2.Press the controller to display the menu 
items. 
Page 104 of 254
Lamps
102
Lamps
Parking lamps/low beams
0Lights off and daytime running lamps*
1Parking lamps and daytime running lamps*
2Low beams
3Automatic headlamp control,
 daytime run-
ning lamps
* and Adaptive Head Light*
Parking lamps
In switch position1, the front, rear and side 
vehicle lighting is switched on. You can use the 
parking lamps for parking.
The parking lamps drain the battery. Do 
not leave them switched on for long peri-
ods of time, otherwise it may no longer be pos-
sible to start the engine. It is preferable to 
switch on the roadside parking lamps on one 
side, refer to page104.<
Low beams
The low beams light up when the light switch is 
in position 2 and the ignition is on.
If the light switch remains in position 2, the 
exterior lamps are switched off automatically 
when the driver's door is opened while the igni-
tion is off.
Switch on the parking lamps if required as 
described under Parking lamps.
Automatic headlamp control
In switch position3, the system activates the 
low beams and switches them on or off in 
response to changes in ambient light condi-
tions, for instance, in a tunnel, at dawn and dusk 
and in case of precipitation. Adaptive Head 
Light
* is active. The LED next to the symbol is 
illuminated when the low beams are on.
A blue sky with the sun low on the horizon can 
cause the lights to be switched on.
The low beams remain on independent of 
the ambient lighting conditions when you 
switch on the fog lamps.<
If desired, the light switch can be left in posi-
tion3. The exterior lighting is automatically 
switched off after switching off the vehicle.
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 sensors 
cannot detect fog of hazy weather. To avoid 
safety risks, you should always switch on the 
low beams manually under these conditions.<
Pathway lighting
When you activate the headlamp flasher after 
parking the vehicle and switching off the lamps, 
the low beams will come on for a brief period. 
You can set the duration or deactivate the func-
tion via iDrive.
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to 
page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-
troller. 
Page 105 of 254
Controls
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5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Lighting" is selected and 
press the controller.
6.Select "Pathway lighting" and press the 
controller.
7.Turn the controller to select the desired 
duration.
8.Press the controller to apply the setting.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Daytime running lamps*
If desired, the light switch can remain in posi-
tions0, 1 or 3. 
In positions0 and 3 the exterior lighting is auto-
matically switched off after the vehicle is 
switched off. In position1 the parking lamps 
light up after the ignition is switched off.
Switch on the parking lamps if required as 
described under Parking lamps.
Activating/deactivating daytime 
running lamps*
1.Open the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-
troller.5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Lighting" is selected and 
press the controller.
6.Select "Daytime running lamps" and press 
the controller.
 The daytime running lamps are 
switched on.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Adaptive Head Light*
The concept
Adaptive Head Light is a variable headlamp 
control system that enables better illumination 
of the road surface. Depending on the steering 
angle and other parameters, the light from the 
headlamp follows the course of the road.
Activating Adaptive Head Light
In switch position3, the Adaptive Head Light is 
active and the automatic headlamp control is 
switched on, refer to page102.
To avoid blinding oncoming traffic, the Adaptive 
Head Light is not active when driving in reverse 
and points toward the passenger side when the 
vehicle is stopped.
Malfunction
The LED next to the symbol for automatic head-
lamp control flashes. The Adaptive Head Light 
is malfunctioning or has failed. Have the system 
checked as soon as possible. 
Page 106 of 254
Lamps
104
High beams/
roadside parking lamps
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Roadside parking lamps
Roadside parking lamps, left or right*
You also enjoy the option of lighting up just one 
side of your vehicle when parking:
Switching on
After parking the vehicle, press the lever up or 
down beyond the resistance point, arrow 3.
The roadside parking lamps drain the bat-
tery. Do not leave them switched on for 
long periods of time, otherwise it may no longer 
be possible to start the engine.<
Switching off
Briefly press the lever in the opposite direction 
up to the resistance point, arrow3.
Fog lamps
The parking lamps or low beams must be 
switched on for the fog lamps to operate. The green indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up when the fog lamps are 
switched on.
The fog lamps are switched off whenever the 
high beams are switched on.
If the automatic headlamp control is acti-
vated, the low beams will come on auto-
matically when you switch on the fog lamps.<
Instrument lighting
You can control the lighting intensity by using 
the knurled wheel.
Interior lamps
Control of the interior lamps, footwell lamps, 
door entry lighting, courtesy lamps
* and sill 
panel lighting
* is automatic.
With the courtesy lamps, LED lights are located 
in the door handles to illuminate the exterior 
area before the doors.
To protect the battery, all lamps in the 
vehicle are switched off approx. 15 min-
utes after radio readiness is switched off, refer 
to Start/Stop button on page59.<