ESP BMW M6 COUPE 2006 E63 User Guide

Transporting children safely
48
Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle; otherwise, they could endanger
themselves and other persons, e.g. by opening
the doors.<
Children always in the rear
Accident research shows that the safest place
for children is in the back.
Children younger than 13 years of age or
with a height under 5 ft/150 cm may only
be transported in the rear in child restraint sys-
tems which correspond to the age, weight and
height of the child. Otherwise there is an
increased danger of injury in an accident.<
Children 13 years of age or older must wear a
safety belt as soon as a suitable child restraint
system can no longer be used due to their age,
size and weight.
With the exception of the driver's seat, all seats
in your BMW comply with the recommenda-
tions of the standard SAE J1819 for the safe
securing of child restraint systems in motor
vehicles.
Exception for front passenger seat
Should it be necessary to use a child
restraint system on the front passenger
seat, the front, knee and side airbag on the pas-
senger side must be deactivated. Otherwise,
there is an increased risk of injury for the child if
the airbags are triggered, even with a child
restraint system. Your BMW center will be glad
to advise you.<
For more information on automatic deactivation
of the front passenger airbags, refer to page76.
Installing child restraint
systems
Follow child-restraint system manufac-
turer's instructions for the selection,
installation and use of child restraint systems.
Otherwise the degree of protection they offer
may be reduced.<
Backrest width on front passenger seat
Before mounting a child restraint system
on the front passenger seat, the backrest
width adjustment must be open completely.<
1.Adjust the backrest width to the fully open
position, refer to page40.
2.Install child's seat.
Child seat security
All rear safety belts and the safety belt for the
front passenger can be locked against pulling
out to secure child restraint systems.
Locking safety belt
1.Secure the child restraint system with the
belt.
2.Pull out the belt webbing completely.
3.Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in and
pull taut against the child restraint system.
The safety belt is locked.

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Starting engine
Do not run the engine in closed rooms,
otherwise the inhaling of toxic exhaust
gases can cause unconsciousness and death.
The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide,
an odorless and colorless, but highly toxic gas.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the
engine running, as such a vehicle represents a
potential safety hazard.
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine run-
ning, move the selector lever into the N position
and set the handbrake, otherwise the vehicle
can begin to roll.<
When starting the engine, do not press the
accelerator pedal.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by leaving it
running while the vehicle remains stationary.
Instead, begin to drive immediately at a moder-
ate engine speed.
Do not press the brake pedal as long as
you do not want to start the engine. The
engine starts immediately when you briefly
press the Start/Stop button with the brake
pedal depressed.<
1.Depress brake pedal.
2.Place selector lever in position N.
3.Briefly press Start/Stop button.
The system responds by automatically engag-
ing the starter for a certain period and automat-
ically disengaging it as soon as the engine
starts.
If the engine does not start, shift back to
the last selector lever position selected,
refer to the instrument cluster display or the
selector lever. Then select the position N.
You cannot start off with the hood open.When the engine is cold, the exhaust system
has a slightly metallic undertone due to the sys-
tem design.<
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion or repeated starting attempts in
which the engine does not start. Otherwise, the
fuel is not burned at all or is burned inade-
quately and there is a danger of overheating and
damage to the catalytic converter.<
Special starting conditions
Depress the accelerator pedal halfway when
starting the engine in the following situations:
>The engine fails to start on the first attempt,
e.g. if it is very hot or cold.
>The engine is started at very low tempera-
tures, below approx. + 57/– 156, at high
altitudes, over approx. 3,300 ft/1,000 m.
Switching engine off
Do not remove the remote control from
the ignition lock while the vehicle is roll-
ing, otherwise the steering wheel lock would
engage while steering.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
remote control with you.
When parking on a downhill incline, apply the
handbrake, as otherwise the vehicle could roll
away.<
1.Apply handbrake.
2.Move selector lever into a drive position.
3.Briefly press Start/Stop button.
A signal sounds when the position N is
engaged and the handbrake is not set when
switching off the engine.
Handbrake
The handbrake is primarily intended to prevent
the vehicle from rolling while parked; it brakes
the rear wheels.

Driving
54
Using shift paddles on steering wheel
>To upshift, briefly pull the right shift
paddle +.
>To downshift, briefly pull the left shift
paddle –.
Drivelogic
With Drivelogic various driving programs are
available to you.
Each time you change between the Sequential
mode and the Drive mode, the driving program
last selected in the respective mode is active.
Exception: after the first change from the
Sequential to the Drive mode, driving program 3
is active.
In Drive mode
Five driving programs, from relaxed 1 to sporty/
highly dynamic 5 are available for selection.
In Sequential mode
You can choose from six driving program from
balanced/dynamic 1 to sporty/purist 6.
Each time the engine is started, driving pro-
gram 3 is activated.
The sporty/purist driving program 6 is only
available with the DSC Dynamic Stability Con-
trol deactivated, refer to page71. When DSC
is activated, the system switches from driving
program 6 to 5.
To maintain vehicle stability, always drive
with the DSC switched on when possi-
ble.<
Selecting driving program with button
in center console
Press the button repeatedly until the desired
driving program is displayed in the instrument
cluster, refer to page53.
Selecting driving program via button
on steering wheel
You can also activate your preferred driving pro-
gram with the button on the steering wheel,
refer to MDrive on page46.
With the ignition switched on you can change
the settings of MDrive on the Control Display.
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to
page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the
controller.
4.Select "MDrive" and press the controller.
5.Select "SMG Drivelogic" and press the con-
troller. The first setting is selected.
6.Turn the controller to set Drive mode or
Sequential mode.
"Unchanged" retains the current settings
made outside of MDrive.

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7.Press the controller to select driving pro-
grams.
8.Turn the controller to set driving program.
9.Press the controller.
Shift lights
To achieve the best vehicle acceleration with
a sporty driving style in the Sequential mode,
shift lights in the Head-Up Display
* indicate the
optimum shifting point briefly before reaching
the maximum rpm.
1.Switch on Head-Up Display, refer to Head-
Up Display on page77.
2.Select display "M View" on Head-Up Dis-
play, refer to Selecting displays on page77.
The current engine speed is highlighted on
the tachometer.
3.When approaching the maximum rpm, yel-
low illuminated fields1 of the tachometer
consecutively indicate the approaching
upshift point.
4.Shift at the latest when the red indicator
field lights up2.
When the permissible maximum rpm is
reached, the entire tachometer beings to flash.
When the maximum rpm is exceeded, the fuel
supply is cut off to protect the engine. Always
avoid engine speeds in this range.
M Engine Dynamic Control
With M Engine Dynamic Control you can influ-
ence how sporty the reaction of your vehicle to
accelerator pedal movements is to be. Three
programs are available for engine control.
"P 400" program
In the "P 400" program the engine reacts gently
to the movement of the accelerator pedal. This
is, for example, ideal for city driving or driving on
snow. In the process, the fuel consumption is
minimal and the engine output is reduced.
"P 500" program
The "P 500" program provides maximum per-
formance and more spontaneous reaction of
the engine to accelerator pedal movements.
"P 500 Sport" program
In the "P 500 Sport" program the engine reacts
especially spontaneously and uncompromis-
ingly sporty with maximum performance to
accelerator pedal movements.
Selecting program
Each time the engine is started, the "P 400"
program is activated.
Press the POWER button to activate the
"P 500" program. Pressing the POWER button
repeatedly switches between the programs
"P 400" and "P 500".
You can also activate your preferred program
with the button on the steering wheel, refer
to MDrive on page46. You can only activate the
"P 500 Sport" program with MDrive.
For the programs "P 500" and "P 500 Sport"
the LED in the POWER button lights up.

Everything under control
60
Engine oil temperature gauge
The general operating temperature lies
between 1757/806 and 2507/1206. Do
not exceed a value of approx. 2657/1306.
If the engine oil temperature is too high, the per-
missible engine speed, and with it the available
engine output is reduced.
Fuel gauge
Fuel tank capacity: approx. 18.5 gallons/
70 liters. You can find information on refueling
on page168.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies for a longer period,
when you are driving in mountainous areas, for
example, the indicator may fluctuate slightly.
Reserve
After the reserve quantity has been reached, a
message briefly appears on the Control Display;
the remaining range is shown in the computer.
Below a range of approx. 30 miles/50 km, the
message remains on the Control Display.
Refuel as soon as possible once your
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not
ensured and damage can occur.<
Computer
Displays in instrument cluster
To display the information, press the BC button
in the turn signal lever from radio readiness.
The following information is displayed in the
specified order:
>Time and outside temperature
>Cruising range
>Average fuel consumption
>Oil level, refer to Checking engine oil level
on page176
Time
To set the time, refer to page67.
Outside temperature
If the display drops to +377/+36, a signal
sounds and a warning lamp lights up. A mes-
sage appears on the Control Display. There is
an increased danger of ice.
Ice can form even at temperatures above
+377/+36. Drive carefully, especially
on bridges and shaded roadways; otherwise,
your risk of accident increases.<
You can set the unit of measure 7 or 6 on the
Control Display, refer to Units of measure on
page69.
Cruising range
Displays the estimated remaining range avail-
able with the remaining fuel. The range is pro-
jected based on the driving style over the last
20 miles/30 km.

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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 display supplementary information
regarding most Check Control messages, e.g.
as to the cause of a malfunction and corre-
sponding actions to be taken, see below.
In cases of corresponding urgency, this infor-
mation is immediately displayed when the
associated lamps light up.
To exit the displayed information:
Select the arrow and press the controller.
Importance of Check Control
messages
Important Check Control messages are
retained until the malfunctions have been recti-
fied. They cannot be deleted. If a number of
these malfunctions occur simultaneously, they
are displayed in succession.
Less important messages disappear after
approx. 20 seconds, but remain in the memory.To hide these Check Control messages:
Press the CHECK button on the turn signal
lever.
Displaying stored Check Control
messages
1.Press the button longer:
The first stored message is displayed.
2.Press the button:
A new message appears each time you
press the button.
Displaying supplementary information
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 "Service" and press the controller.

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are already shown there before a signal tone
sounds. The setting is stored for the remote
control currently in use.
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to
page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the
controller.
4.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the
controller until "PDC" is selected and press
the controller.
5.Select "PDC display on" and press the con-
troller.
The PDC screen is activated.
The display appears on the Control Display as
soon as PDC is activated.
System limits
Even with PDC, final responsibility for
estimating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstacles always remains with
the driver. Even when sensors are involved,
there is a blind spot in which objects cannot be
detected. This applies especially in those cases
where the system approaches the physical con-
straints of ultrasonic measurement, as occurs
with tow bars and trailer couplings, and in the
vicinity of thin or wedge-shaped objects. Low
objects already displayed, e.g. a curb, can dis-
appear from the detection area of the sensors
again before a continuous tone sounds. Higher,
protruding objects, e.g. ledges, cannot be
detected. Loud noises from outside and inside
the vehicle may prevent you from hearing the
PDC signal tone.<
Driving stability control
systems
Your BMW is equipped with an extended array
of systems designed to enhance and maintain
vehicle stability under extreme conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents the wheels from locking during
braking. Safe steering response is maintained
even during hard braking. This increases active
driving safety.
ABS is operational every time you start the
engine. For information on safe braking, refer to
page99.
CBC Cornering Brake Control
This system provides further enhancements to
vehicle stability and steering response when
braking while cornering or when braking during
a lane change.
Electronic brake-force distribution
This system controls the brake system's appli-
cation pressure at the rear wheels to ensure
stable deceleration.
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 pedal
for the duration of the full braking.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC optimizes the vehicle stability and traction.
It also detects unstable driving states such as
understeering and oversteering, and helps
keep the vehicle on course within the physical
limits by reducing the engine output and by
braking at the wheels.
The DSC is operational every time you start the
engine.

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
72 The laws of physics cannot be repealed,
even with DSC. An appropriate driving
style always remains the responsibility of the
driver. Do not reduce the additional safety mar-
gin of the system by taking risks.<
DSC indicator lamp
The indicator lamp goes out shortly
after the engine is started.
The indicator lamp flashes: DSC is con-
trolling the drive forces and brake forces.
The indicator lamp stays lit: DSC is deactivated.
M Dynamic Mode MDM
The M Dynamic Mode is a mode of the DSC
Dynamic Stability Control. It enables driving
with greater longitudinal and lateral accelera-
tion on dry road surfaces, however with limited
vehicle stability. The system does not provide
stabilizing intervention by reducing the engine
output and braking at the wheels until the abso-
lute driving limit is reached. Steering correc-
tions by the driver may also be required in this
driving state.
The M Dynamic Mode is deactivated each time
the engine is started.
With the M Dynamic Mode activated, sta-
bilizing interventions are only carried out
to a reduced degree.<
To maintain vehicle stability, drive with
DSC activated and the M Dynamic Mode
deactivated whenever possible.<
MDM indicator lamp
The indicator lamp goes out shortly
after the engine is started. The indica-
tor lamp stays lit: M Dynamic Mode is
activated.
The indicator lamp lights up continuously and
the DSC indicator lamp flashes: the M Dynamic
Mode is active and controls the drive and brak-
ing forces.
Activating MDM
You activate the M Dynamic Mode with the
button on the steering wheel, refer to MDrive on
page46.With the ignition switched on you can change
the settings of MDrive on the Control Display.
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to
page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the
controller.
4.Select "MDrive" and press the controller.
5.Select "DSC" and press the controller.
6.Select "M Dynamic Mode" and press the
controller.
Deactivating MDM again
Press the button on the steering wheel
again; the MDM indicator lamp goes out.
Switching off DSC
Press the DSC button; the DSC indicator lamp
lights up continuously. DSC and MDM are
deactivated.
A message appears on the Control Display.
Please note any supplementary information
that appears there.
When rocking free and starting off from deep
snow or on loose road surfaces, it may be prac-
tical to briefly deactivate DSC.

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1.Reduce speed and stop the vehicle care-
fully. Avoid sudden braking and steering
maneuvers.
2.Identify damaged tire. To do this, check the
tire inflation pressure using the M Mobility
System, refer to Producing tire inflation
pressure on page187.
3.Repair flat tire with M Mobility System, refer
to page185, or replace the damaged wheel,
refer to Changing wheels on page187.Brake force display
>Left-hand picture: normal braking.
>Right-hand picture: heavy braking.
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the
marked covers:
1Front airbags
2Head airbags3Side airbags
4Knee airbag
5Knee airbag
Protective action
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection,
please follow the adjustment instructions on
page39.<
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 a side impact. The relevant side air-
bag supports the side upper body area. The
head airbag supports the head. The knee airbag
protects the legs from colliding with the cockpit.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 retention 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

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
76 attempt to remove or dismantle the steering
wheel.
Do not touch the individual components
directly 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 carried out only by a BMW cen-
ter or a workshop that works according to BMW
repair procedures with appropriately 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 system
correspondingly activates or deactivates the
front, knee and side airbag on the front passen-
ger side.
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 below.<
Before transporting a child in the front
passenger seat, read the safety informa-
tion and follow the instructions under Trans-
porting children safely, refer to page48.
The front, knee and side airbag on the front pas-
senger side can be deactivated for teenagers
and adults in certain seat positions; the indica-
tor lamp for the front passenger airbags lights
up when this occurs. In these cases, change the
seat position so that the front passenger air-
bags are activated and the indicator lamp goes
out. If the desired status cannot be produced by
changing the seat position, transport the corre-
sponding person in the rear seat. Do not fit seat covers, seat cushion padding,
beaded mats or other items onto the front pas-
senger seat unless they are specifically recom-
mended by BMW. Do not place objects under
the seat which could press against the seat
from below. Otherwise a correct evaluation of
the occupied seat surface cannot be ensured.<
Operating state of front passenger
airbags
The indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags indicates the operating status of the front,
knee and side airbag on the front passenger
side depending on whether the seat is occu-
pied. The indicator lamp shows whether the
front passenger airbags are activated or deacti-
vated.
>The indicator lamp lights up when a child in
a child restraint system intended for the
purpose is properly detected on the seat.
The front, knee and side airbag on the front
passenger side are deactivated.
>The indicator lamp does not light up when,
for example, a correctly seated person of
sufficient height is detected on the seat.
The front, knee and side airbag on the front
passenger side are activated.
>The indicator lamp does not light up when
the seat is empty.
But the front, knee and side airbag on the
front passenger side are still deactivated.