service indicator BMW M5 2007 Owners Manual
Page 14 of 253
Cockpit
12
Instrument cluster
1Indicator lamps for turn signals
2Speedometer
3Indicator and warning lamps13
4Tachometer66
5Engine oil thermometer67
6Display for
>Computer67
Engine oil level200
>Indicator and warning lamps71
>Speed of cruise control647Display for
>Sequential Manual Transmission with 
Drivelogic58
>Engine oil level for manual 
transmission
*200
> Check Control message present71
>Odometer and trip odometer66
>Date and remaining travel distance 
for service requirements69
8Fuel gauge67
9Resetting trip odometer66 
Page 73 of 253
Controls
 71Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
7.Select "State inspection" and press the 
controller.
8.Select "Set service date" and press the 
controller. The month is highlighted.
9.Turn the controller to make the adjustment.
10.Press the controller to apply the setting. 
The year is highlighted.
11.Turn the controller to make the adjustment.
12.Press the controller to apply the setting. 
The date entry is stored.
To exit the menu:
 Select the arrow and press the controller.
Check Control
The concept
The Check Control monitors functions in the 
vehicle and issues a message if there is a mal-
function in the monitored systems. This kind of 
Check Control message consists of indicator 
and warning lamps in the instrument cluster, 
and if necessary an acoustic signal and text 
messages at the bottom of the Control Display.
Indicator and warning lamps
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in 
different combinations and colors.
 means that a Check Control message has 
been generated. The symbol continues to be 
visible even when the Check Control message 
disappears after a short time. The warning 
lamps and text messages are stored and can be 
displayed later, also refer to page72.
Explanatory text messages
Text message at the bottom edge of the Con-
trol Display explain the meaning of the dis-
played indicator and warning lamps. 
Page 89 of 253
Controls
 87Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the 
marked covers:
1Front airbags
2Head airbags
3Side airbags in front and rear
Protective action
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection, 
please observe the adjustment instructions on 
page41.<
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 are deliberately not triggered in 
every impact situation, e. g. less severe acci-
dents or 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 attempt to 
remove the airbag restraint system from the 
vehicle. Do not modify or tamper with either the 
wiring or the individual components in the air-
bag system. This category includes the uphol-
stery in the center of the steering wheel, on the 
instrument panel, the doors and the roof pillars 
along with the sides of the headliner. Do not 
attempt to remove or dismantle the steering 
wheel. Do not touch the individual components 
immediately after the system has been trig-gered, 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 center 
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.<
Warnings and information on the airbags is also 
provided on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of front 
passenger airbags
The occupation of the seat is detected by eval-
uating the impression on the occupied seat sur-
face of the front passenger seat. The front and 
side airbags on the front passenger side are 
activated or deactivated accordingly by the sys-
tem.
The current status of the front passenger 
airbag, i.e. deactivated or activated, is 
indicated by the indicator lamp over the interior 
rearview mirror, refer to Operating state of front 
passenger airbags in the following.<
Before transporting a child on the front 
passenger seat, observe the safety infor-
mation and handling instructions under Trans-
porting children safely refer to page52.
The front and side airbags on the front passen-
ger side can be deactivated for teenagers and 
adults in certain seat positions; then the indica-
tor lamp for the front passenger airbags lights  
Page 139 of 253
Navigation
Driving tips
 137Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Entertainment
Mobility
This volume is independent of the volume of the 
audio sources.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Bypassing route sections
During destination guidance, you can revise the 
navigation system's route recommendations to 
avoid particular stretches of road. Enter the 
number of miles/kilometers that you want to 
travel before returning to the original route.
1.Select "Navigation" and press the control-
ler.
2.Change into the third field from the top. 
Turn the controller until "New route" is 
selected and press the controller.
3.Turn the controller to enter the desired 
number and press the controller.
The route is recalculated.
To exit from the menu without changing the 
route:
 Select the arrow and press the controller.
Traffic information*
You can display traffic information from radio 
stations that transmit information of the 
Traffic Info traffic warning service at any time. 
This information of the traffic warning services 
is constantly updated using measuring data 
from traffic routing centers and information 
from traffic congestion indicators.
During destination guidance the traffic informa-
tion located near you on the route is automati-
cally displayed. It can also be displayed manu-
ally with iDrive. The traffic information is shown 
in the map view.
Switching reception of traffic 
information on/off
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.Turn the controller until "Settings" is 
selected and press the controller.
4.Turn the controller until "Traffic Info" is 
selected and press the controller. 
Page 185 of 253
 183
Entertainment
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips Communications
Navigation
Mobility
You can also use the services of BMW Assist via 
the Internet.
Special features of the services offered
The following special features apply to the ser-
vices:
>The services offered are country-specific.
>Voice contact is established or data are 
transmitted, depending on the equipment 
and the country. In some countries, it is 
possible to do both.
>The data transmitted can, for example, be 
the vehicle data, your current position or the 
data of the CBS Condition Based Service.
Using services
Contacting BMW Assist Response 
Center
You can contact the BMW Assist Response 
Center with the SOS button.
1.Briefly press protective cover to open.
Depending on the vehicle's equipment, the 
arrangement of the switches and indicator 
lamps may differ somewhat.
2.Press the button for at least 2 seconds.
The BMW Assist Response Center is con-
tacted.
Breakdown assistance
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to 
page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller forward to select 
"Communication".
3.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "BMW Assist" is selected 
and press the controller.
4.Select "Roadside Assistance" and press 
the controller.
If the location can be determined, the cur-
rent vehicle position is displayed.
5.Select "Start service" and press the con-
troller. 
Page 199 of 253
Mobility
 197Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
suitable for winter conditions. For the sake of 
safety, new tires should be installed.
Wear indicators at the tread-groove base, refer 
to arrow, are distributed over the tire's circum-
ference and are marked on the side of the tire 
with TWI – Tread Wear Indicator. If the tire tread 
has been driven down to the wear indicators, a 
tread depth of 0.063 in/1.6 mm has been 
reached.
Wheel/tire damage
Please note that low-profile tires cause wheels, 
tires and suspension parts to be more suscep-
tible to road hazards and consequential dam-
ages.
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal 
vehicle operation can indicate tire failure or 
some other vehicle defect. This can, for exam-
ple, be caused by driving over curbs. These 
kinds of problems may also be signaled by other 
changes in vehicle response, such as a strong 
tendency to pull to the left or right.
In these cases, reduce speed immedi-
ately and have wheels and tires thor-
oughly checked. To do so, drive carefully to the 
nearest BMW center or tire shop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. If necessary, 
have the vehicle towed there. Tire damage can 
be extremely dangerous for vehicle occupants 
and other road users.<
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires installed only 
by your BMW center or tire shop that 
works according to BMW repair procedures with correspondingly trained personnel. If this 
work is not carried out properly, there is a dan-
ger of subsequent damage and related safety 
hazards. Make sure that the new wheels are bal-
anced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend that you use 
retreaded tires, as driving safety may be 
impaired. The causes for this include the possi-
bly different tire casing structures and the often 
wide variations in their age, which can result in a 
limited service life.<
The right wheels and tires
BMW recommends that you use only 
wheel and tire combinations that BMW 
has tested and approved for your particular 
vehicle. Variations in factors such as manufac-
turing tolerances mean that even wheels and 
tires with identical official size ratings could 
actually have different dimensions than the 
approved units – these differences could lead to 
body contact, and with it the risk of severe acci-
dents. When selecting the tires, also ensure 
that they have a sufficient load-carrying capac-
ity. If non-approved wheels and tires are used, 
BMW cannot evaluate their suitability, and 
therefore cannot be held liable for driving 
safety.<
You can inquire about the right wheel/tire com-
bination at your BMW center.
The correct wheel/tire combination also affects 
various systems whose function would other-
wise be impaired, e.g. ABS or DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle 
response, use only tires of a single tread config-
uration from a single manufacturer. Following 
tire damage, have the original wheel and tire 
combination remounted on the vehicle as soon 
as possible.
Wheels with electronics for 
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor
When mounting new tires or converting from 
summer to winter tires or vice versa, only use 
wheels with TPM electronics, otherwise the  
Page 216 of 253
Giving and receiving assistance
214
Giving and receiving assistance
Emergency call
Conditions for an emergency call:
>Full preparation package mobile phone. 
With this equipment, an emergency call is 
still possible when no mobile phone is 
logged on in the vehicle.
>BMW Assist is activated. Activating 
BMW Assist, refer to page187.
>Radio readiness is activated.
>The BMW Assist system is logged on to a 
mobile phone network.
>The emergency call system is operable.
Once your service contract for BMW Assist 
expires, the BMW Assist system can be deacti-
vated by a BMW center without you having to 
visit a workshop. Once the BMW Assist system 
has been deactivated, emergency calls are not 
possible. The BMW Assist system be reacti-
vated by a BMW center after signing a new con-
tract.
Initiating an emergency call
1.Briefly press protective cover to open.
Depending on the vehicle's equipment, the 
arrangement of the switches and indicator 
lamps may differ somewhat.
2.Press the button for at least 2 seconds.
The LED in the button lights up. As soon as the 
voice connection to the BMW Assist Response 
Center has been established, the LED flashes.
Once the BMW Assist Response Center has 
received your emergency call, the BMW Assist Response Center contacts you and takes fur-
ther steps to help you.
If conditions allow, remain in the vehicle until 
the connection has been established. You will 
then be able to provide a detailed description of 
the situation.
If the current position of your vehicle can be 
determined, it will be transmitted to the BMW 
Assist Response Center.
If the LED is flashing but the BMW Assist 
Response Center cannot be heard over the 
hands-free system, it is possible that the 
hands-free system is malfunctioning. You may 
still be heard by the BMW Assist Response 
Center, however.
Under certain conditions, an emergency call is 
automatically initiated immediately after a 
severe accident. The automatic emergency call 
is not affected by the button being pressed.
For technical reasons, the emergency call 
cannot be guaranteed under unfavorable 
conditions.<
You can also use other services of 
BMW Assist with this button, refer to 
page182.<
Warning triangle*
The warning triangle is located in the luggage 
compartment lid.
Loosen the wing nut to open. 
Page 237 of 253
Reference 235
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
"Display off"21
Displays
– on Control Display, refer to 
iDrive16
– refer to Instrument 
cluster12
"Display settings"76,89
Displays on the windshield, 
refer to Head-Up Display88
Disposal
– battery of remote control 
with comfort access37
– coolant202
– vehicle battery213
Distance, refer to 
Computer68
"Distance to dest."68
Distance to destination, refer 
to Computer68
Distance warning, refer to 
PDC Park Distance 
Control78
Divided rear backrest, refer to 
Through-loading 
system108
Door entry lighting94
Door key, refer to Keys/
remote control28
Door lock32
Door locking, confirmation 
signals31
"Door locks"30
Doors
– manual operation32
– remote control30
DOT Quality Grades196
Draft-free ventilation99
Drinks holder, refer to Cup 
holders105
Drivelogic60
Drive mode59
"Driver's door only"31
Driving lamps, refer to Parking 
lamps/low beams92
Driving programs, refer to 
Drivelogic60
Driving route, refer to 
Displaying route134Driving stability control 
systems79
Driving through water113
Driving tips, refer to General 
driving notes112
Dry air, refer to Cooling 
function98
Drying the air, refer to Cooling 
function98
"DSC"50,80
DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control80
– indicator lamp13
,80
– malfunction81
DVD for navigation120
Dynamic Brake Control 
DBC80
"Dynamic route" for 
navigation131
Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC80
– M Dynamic Mode MDM80
E
Easy entry/exit49
– backrest width43
"EDC"50
EDC Electronic Damping 
Control82
– "Comfort"82
– "Normal"82
– "Sport"82
Eject button, refer to Buttons 
on CD player146
Electrical malfunction
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door192
– glass sunroof, electric40
– luggage compartment lid34
Electric steering wheel 
adjustment48
Electronic brake-force 
distribution79
Electronic Damping Control 
EDC82
Emergency call214Emergency operation, refer to 
Manual operation
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door192
– luggage compartment lid34
Emergency operation of glass 
sunroof, refer to Moving 
manually40
Emergency release for 
luggage compartment lid in 
cargo bay34
Emergency services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance215
"Enable services"188
"End call"174
Engaging driving position, 
refer to Selector lever 
positions58
Engaging forward position, 
refer to Selector lever 
positions58
Engine
– breaking-in112
– data222
– M Engine Dynamic 
Control61
– overheated, refer to Coolant 
temperature66
– speed222
– starting56
– starting, with comfort 
access36
– starting difficulties56
– switching off57
Engine compartment200
Engine coolant202 
Page 240 of 253
Everything from A to Z
238 Height adjustment
– seats42
– steering wheel48
High beams94
– headlamp flasher94
– indicator lamp13
High Definition Radio154
High water, refer to Driving 
through water113
Hills114
Holder for cups105
"Home address" for 
navigation130
Homepage of BMW4
Hood199
Horn10
Hot exhaust system112
"Hour memo"75
"House number" for 
destination entry124
Hydraulic brake assistant, 
refer to DBC Dynamic Brake 
Control80
Hydroplaning113
I
IBOC, refer to High Definition 
Radio154
Ice, refer to Outside 
temperature warning67
ID3 tag, refer to Information on 
track161
Identification marks
– recommended tire 
brands198
– tire coding195
Idle58iDrive16
– assistance window20
– automatic climate control 
with expanded scope97
– changing date and time74
– changing language76
– changing menu page19
– changing settings74
– changing units of measure 
and display type76
– confirming selection or 
entry19
– controller16
– controls16
– displays, menus17
– operating principle17
– selecting menu item19
– setting brightness76
– start menu17
– status information20
– symbols18
Ignition55
– switched off56
– switched on55
Ignition key, refer to Keys/
remote control28
Ignition key position 1, refer to 
Radio readiness55
Ignition key position 2, refer to 
Ignition on55
Ignition lock55
– starting engine with comfort 
access37
i menu17
Imprint2
Indicator/warning lamps
– ABS Antilock Brake 
System81
– airbags88
– brake system81
– DSC13,80
– Flat Tire Monitor84
– high beams13
– MDrive13,51
– M Dynamic Mode
13,80
– parking lamps/low beams13
– safety belt warning46
– TPM Tire Pressure 
Monitor85Indicator and warning 
lamps13
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire 
inflation pressure194
Inflation pressure monitoring, 
refer to Flat Tire Monitor82
Inflation pressure monitoring, 
refer to TPM Tire Pressure 
Monitor84
Info menu17
Information
– on another location127
– on current position127
– on destination location127
"Information" for 
navigation127
Information menu, refer to 
imenu17
"Information on 
destination"128
Information service185
"Info sources"70
Initializing
– Flat Tire Monitor83
– radio, refer to Storing 
stations152
– refer to Power failure213
– refer to Setting time and 
date74
– seat, mirror and steering 
wheel memory43
"Input map"126
Installation location
– CD changer163
– drive for navigation DVD120
– mobile phone104
Instructions for navigation 
system, refer to Voice 
instructions136
Instrument cluster12
Instrument illumination, refer 
to Instrument lighting94
Instrument lighting94 
Page 243 of 253
Reference 241
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Navigation system120
– address book128
– bypassing route 
sections137
– destination entry121
– destination guidance in 
assistance window120
– destination list128
– displaying current 
position140
– displaying route134
– entering a destination 
manually121
– entering destination via 
voice124
– last destinations128
– navigation DVD120
– opening121
– route list135
– searching for a special 
destination127
– selecting destination using 
information127
– selecting destination via 
map126
– selecting route criteria131
– starting destination 
guidance133
– switching off, refer to 
Terminating/continuing 
destination guidance133
– terminating/continuing 
destination guidance133
– voice instructions136
– volume adjustment136
"Navigation voice 
instructions"49,136
Neck support, refer to Head 
restraints44
"New address" for 
navigation129
"New data request" for BMW 
Assist185
"New destination"121,126
New remote control28
"New route"137
New wheels and tires197"Next entertainment 
source"49
"Normal", active backrest 
width adjustment43
"Normal" with EDC82
Nozzles, refer to Windshield 
washer nozzles63
Nylon rope, refer to Tow-
starting and towing216
O
OBD socket, refer to Socket 
for Onboard Diagnostics 
interface205
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel 
specifications193
Odometer66
Oil, refer to Engine oil200
Oil change intervals, refer to 
Service requirements69
Oil temperature67
"On a new destination" for 
navigation127
Onboard computer, refer to 
iDrive16
"Onboard info"68
Onboard toolkit206
"On destination"127
"On location"127
Opening and closing
– comfort access36
– from inside32
– from outside30
– using remote control30
– using the door lock32
Operating principle, iDrive17
Operation by voice for mobile 
phone177
– adjusting volume178
– canceling178
– commands178
– correcting phone 
number179
– dialing phone number179
– placing a call179
– redialing180
– voice phone book179
"Options"186Orientation menu, refer to 
Start menu17
Output, refer to Engine 
data222
Outside air, refer to AUC 
Automatic recirculated-air 
control99
Outside temperature 
display67
– changing unit of measure76
– in computer76
Overview
– operating principle17
– radio control146
– screen display20
P
"P 400"61
"P 500"61
"P 500 Sport"61
Panic mode31
Park Distance Control PDC78
"Parked car operation"100
"Parked car ventilation"100
Parked car ventilation100
– activating activation 
time101
– preselecting activation 
times100
– switching on and off 
directly100
Parked car ventilation system
– LED96
Parking, vehicle57
Parking aid, refer to PDC Park 
Distance Control78
Parking assistant, refer to 
PDC Park Distance 
Control78
Parking brake, refer to 
Handbrake57
Parking lamps92
– indicator lamp13
Parking lamps/low beams
– indicator lamp13
Parts and accessories6