steering wheel BMW 525I 2004 User Guide

Controls
51Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Releasing
Pull slightly upwards, press the button and
lower the lever.
If exceptional circumstances should
make it necessary to engage the
handbrake while the vehicle is in motion,
do not pull it too strongly. In doing so, con-
tinuously press the button of the handbrake
lever.
Strong application of the handbrake can
lead to overbraking of the rear axle and
associated 'fishtailing' of the vehicle rear
end.
The brake lamps do not light up when the
handbrake is applied.
Vehicles with manual or SMG transmission:
When parking on inclines, apply the hand-
brake, as under certain circumstances
even engaging the first or reverse gear
might not secure the vehicle against mov-
ing.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place selector lever in position P.<
To prevent corrosion and one-sided
braking action, occasionally apply the
handbrake lightly when the vehicle is
slowly coming to a standstill if the traffic
conditions are suitable.<
Manual transmission
While shifting gear in the 5th/6th gear
level, make sure that you press the
gearshift lever to the right to prevent inad-
vertently selecting a gear in the 3rd/4th
gear level. On inclines, do not hold the
vehicle with the clutch; use the handbrake.
Holding with the clutch causes high clutch
wear.<
Reverse gear
Select R only when the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped. When pressing the gear-
shift lever to the left, overcome some resis-
tance.
The backup lamps automatically come on
in ignition key position 2.
Sequential manual
transmission SMG*
The concept
The Sequential manual transmission SMG
is an automated manual transmission in
which an electro-hydraulic system handles
the clutching and gear changes.
You operate the SMG using the selector
lever in the center console and two shift
paddles on the steering wheel.
It provides you with the following functions:
>Sequential mode: manual mode
>Drive mode: automatic mode
>Choice between two drive programs:
Normal, Sport, refer to page 54
>Operating reliability with protection
against incorrect gearshifts

Controls
53Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
towards D or change the current gear using
the shift paddles or selector lever.
Gear changes
Using selector lever
>To shift up, briefly press the selector
lever towards +
>To shift down, briefly press towards Ñ.
Using shift paddles on steering
wheel
>To shift up, pull one of the shift paddles
>To shift down, press.
You accelerate from higher gears, e.g.
when overtaking, by shifting down manu-
ally.
In the following situations, the SMG in the
sequential mode assists you:
>Upshifts and downshifts are executed
only when they will result in a plausible
combination of engine and vehicle
speed; thus, for example, a downshift
that would cause the engine to overrev
will not be executed by the system
>When the vehicle is stopped, the trans-
mission automatically downshifts into
first gear
>Shortly before dropping below a gear-
dependent minimum speed, the trans-
mission downshifts automatically even
without your intervention.
Display in the instrument cluster
Gear display
R N 1 2 3 4 5 6
D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6
The gear currently selected, the selected
shifting mode and, if applicable, malfunc-
tions are displayed in the instrument clus-
ter.
Malfunctions
Indicator lamp
If the indicator lamp lights up, a
malfunction has occurred in the
transmission system.
While it will remain still possible to move
the selector lever to any desired position,
the transmission will revert to operation in
its default mode with only a limited number
of forward gears.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine loads
and consult the nearest BMW center.
Warning tone
In case of overheating in the area of the
transmission, an acoustic signal indicates
that you should stop or start off quickly if
possible so that the system can cool down
again.
Information on jump-starting and towing
begins on page 192.

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
78
CBC Cornering Brake Control
CBC is a supplement to ABS. It provides
further enhancements in vehicle stability
and steering response during lane changes
and cornering at high rates of lateral accel-
eration.
EBV Electronic Brake Force
Distribution
EBV controls the brake system's applica-
tion pressure at the rear wheels to ensure
stable deceleration.
In case of malfunction
If the brake system warning lamp
lights up in red, appearing together
with the yellow indicator lamps for
ABS and DSC:
The driving stability control has
failed.
If all three lamps light up yellow:
Fault in the driving stability control.
The EBV electronic brake-force distribution
is active.
While you may continue, you should
remember to proceed cautiously and drive
defensively while avoiding full brake appli-
cations.
Please have the system checked at the
nearest BMW center.
If a message appears on the Control Dis-
play, please note the supplementary infor-
mation.
You can find more information on the
Check Control starting on page 68.
Indicator and warning lamps for
Canadian models.
Driving stability control/
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control
The concept
DSC maintains vehicle stability, even in
critical driving situations.
The DSC is operational every time you start
the engine. DSC includes the functionality
of the DTC Dynamic Traction Control and
DBC Dynamic Brake Control, refer to
page 79.
The system optimizes vehicle stability dur-
ing acceleration and when starting from a
full stop, as well as optimizing traction. The
system recognizes any tendency for the
vehicle to assume an unstable attitude
such as oversteer or understeer; it then
counteracts this tendency with a combina-
tion of graduated reductions in engine
torque and selective braking intervention at
individual wheels. DSC provides optimal
stability within the limits defined by the
laws of physics.
Indicator lamps
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out soon after you start
the engine.
If the indicator lamp flashes:
DSC is regulating the drive and braking
forces.
If the indicator lamp lights up permanently:
DSC has been switched off using the but-
ton.
If the indicator lamp and the brake
warning lamp light up permanently:
Malfunction in DSC, DTC and DBC.
When the system is off, the stability main-
tenance functions described above are no
longer available. The vehicle will remain
completely operational, however, without
DSC.
Please respond to any malfunctions by
referring the problem to your BMW center.

Controls
81Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
natural, even pressure drop in all four
tires.<
In the following situations, on the other
hand, there can be delays in detecting tire
pressure losses, and even system failure:
>When you are driving on snow-covered
or slippery road surfaces
>If you are using a sports driving style:
slip on the drive wheels, high lateral
acceleration
>False alarms and undetected loss of
pressure may occur when you are driv-
ing with snow chains fitted
>When you are driving with the compact
wheel, the Flat Tire Monitor is unable to
function.
Initializing the system
Perform the initialization immediately
after correcting the inflation pressure,
after changing a tire or changing a wheel or
all wheels. A drive is necessary for this pur-
pose.<
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page 16:
1.Before beginning driving, start the
engine, but do not drive off
2.Open the menu
3.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the
controller
4.Select "FTM" and press the controller
5.Select "Set tire pressure" and press the
controller
6.Select "Yes" and press the controller
7.Drive off.
The message "Initializing" is displayed.It takes a few minutes before the Flat Tire
Monitor can detect and report a flat tire.
After the initialization is completed, the
message "Active" is displayed.
If a flat tire is detected during initialization,
a message appears on the Control Display.
When driving with snow chains or
with the compact wheel, do not initial-
ize the system.<
Flat tire
Indicator lamp
The symbol in the instrument clus-
ter lights up in red and a simulta-
neous message appears on the
Control Display. In addition, an acoustic
signal sounds.
Please note any supplementary information
that appears on the Control Display. You
can find more information on the Check
Control starting on page 68.
1.Reduce speed and stop the vehicle
carefully. Avoid sudden braking and
steering maneuvers
2.Identify damaged tire
If identification is not possible,
contact your BMW center.<
3.Replace the damaged wheel, refer to
Changing a tire on page 187.
Vehicles with run-flat tires:
1.Cautiously reduce the vehicle speed to
below 50 mph/80 km/h. Avoid sudden
braking and steering maneuvers. Do
not exceed a vehicle speed of 50 mph/
80 km/h
Due to the reinforcement on the
edges of the run-flat tires, inflation
pressure loss can not usually be recog-
nized from the outside, refer to Run-flat
tires on page 175.<
2.To continue driving, comply with the
instructions for driving with damaged
tires on page 175.

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
82
System malfunctions
Indicator lamp
The symbol in the instrument clus-
ter lights up yellow and a message
appears on the Control Display.
Please contact your BMW center.
Please note any supplementary information
that appears on the Control Display.
Active steering*
The concept
The active steering is a system that actively
varies the steering angle of the front wheels
in relation to the steering wheel move-
ments.
When you are driving in the low road speed
range, e.g. in a town or when parking, the
steering angle is reinforced, i.e. the steer-
ing becomes very direct and significantly
improves the handling capability of your
BMW.
In the higher road speed range, on the
other hand, the steering angle is reduced,
also optimizing the handling capability.
In critical situations, the system can make
targeted changes to the steering angle pro-
vided by the driver and thus stabilize the
vehicle before the driver intervenes.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up perma-
nently: malfunction in the system.
Please have the system inspected
at your BMW center.
Conventional steering efficiency remains
available without limitations.
Brake Force Display
The Brake Force Display indicates the
intensity with which you are applying your
brakes to drivers of following vehicles. The display consists of two stages:
>Normal braking:
The brake lamps in the tail assemblies
and the high-mount brake lamp on top
of the rear window light up during brak-
ing
>Heavy braking and braking with ABS:
The tail lamps also light up with the
same intensity as the standard brake
lamp units to enhance the warning
effect of the brake lamps.

Controls
83Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the
marked covers:
1Front airbags for driver and front pas-
senger
2Head airbags in front and rear
3Side airbags in front and rear
Protective effect
The front airbags help protect the driver
and front passenger by responding to fron-
tal impacts in which safety belts alone can-
not provide adequate restraint. When
needed, the head and side airbags help
provide protection in the event of side
impact. The relevant side airbag helps to
restrain the side upper body area. The rel-
evant head airbag helps to support the
head and provides protection against
objects entering the vehicle.
The airbags are deliberately not triggered
in every impact situation, e.g. less severe
accidents, certain roll-over conditions, or
rear-end collisions.
The rear seat side airbags may
already have been deactivated by a
BMW center. Labels in the rear door open-
ing should indicate the status of your rear
seat side airbags. If you are uncertain of
their status, or wish to have the airbags
activated or deactivated, please contact
your BMW center.<
For information on the correct sitting posi-
tion, refer to page 36.
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 reten-tion system from the vehicle. Never modify
or tamper with either the wiring or the indi-
vidual components in the airbag system.
This category includes the upholstery in the
center of the steering wheel, on the instru-
ment panel, the side trim panels on 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
directly after the system has been trig-
gered, because there is a danger of burns.
If you note any indication of system mal-
function, if you desire to have an airbag
deactivated, or if the airbag retention sys-
tem is triggered in response to an accident,
you should always entrust all inspection,
repair and dismantling operations to your
BMW center.
Unprofessional attempts to service the sys-
tem could lead to failure in an emergency
or undesired airbag activation, either of
which could result in personal injury.
To ensure compliance with official safety
regulations, please also entrust disposal of
airbag generators to a BMW center.<
Airbag warning information is also provided
on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of the front
passenger airbags
Your BMW has a seat occupation detection
system. By evaluating the weight on the
front passenger's seat, the system detects
whether or not the seat is occupied by a
child in the child-restraint system or an
adult.

Controls
85Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Head-Up Display*
The concept
The Head-Up Display can be used to
project important information into the field
of vision of the driver, e.g. instructions of
the navigation system. You can assimilate
this information without taking your eyes off
the road.
Switching on/off
In ignition key position 2:
Press button 2 to activate or deactivate this
system.
1Instructions of the navigation system
2Cruise control or
Active cruise control
3Speed The Head-Up Display can also be activated
and deactivated with the two programma-
ble function buttons on the steering wheel.
Programing button functions, refer to
page 44.
Specifying selected displays
You can specify which information is to
appear in the Head-Up Display for a spe-
cific key.
Make all entries with the vehicle sta-
tionary. If you are inattentive, you may
be in violation of the law, and can endanger
vehicle occupants and other road users.<
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page 16:
1.Open the start menu by pressing the
button.
1.Open the menu by pressing the con-
troller
2.Select "Display settings" and press the
controller
3.Select "HUD selection" and press the
controller

Navigation
Driving tips
125Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Entertainment
Mobility
or press
on the steering wheel for a longer period.
Programing button functions, refer to
page 44.
Repeating an instruction
To repeat the last voice instruction:
or press
on the steering wheel briefly.
Programing button functions, refer to
page 44.
Suppressing voice instructions
To prevent the navigation system from
interrupting other audio sources, such as a
news program or traffic bulletin, you can
deactivate the voice instructions.
During an instruction, press
or press
on the steering wheel briefly.
Programing button functions, refer to
page 44.
Adjusting volume
You can adjust the volume of the voice
instructions for each specific key:
1.To repeat the last voice instruction, if
required:
or press
on the steering wheel briefly.2.Turn the button during an instruction to
select the desired volume.
The navigation system's voice guidance
will continue to issue instructions at this
volume level, even if the radio is set to min-
imum volume.
Blocking sections of a route
During destination guidance you can revise
the navigation system's route recommen-
dations to avoid particular stretches of
road. Enter the number of miles/kilometers
that you want to travel before returning to
the original route.
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page 16:
1.Select "New route" and press the con-
troller
2.Turn the controller to enter the desired
number of miles/kilometers and press
the controller.
To exit from the menu without changing
the route:
Select and press the controller
3."Calculate" is used to recalculate the
route.

On/off, tone
130
On/off, tone
Depending on the equipment options you
have chosen, the following audio sources
are available:
>Radio Business
>CD player
>CD changer.
The following section summarizes the com-
mon controls and setting options for the
audio sources. Thereafter, the individual
audio sources are described in detail.
Controls
The audio sources can be operated using:
>The center console
>The Control Center
>Buttons on the steering wheel, refer to
page 11.
Operation using the center console
The layout of the buttons can vary depend-
ing on your vehicle's equipment.
1To operate audio sources
>Press: switching on/off.
The system selects the last audio
source used, radio or CD
>Turn: adjusting volume
2Drive for audio CD
3Eject CD
4Station scan/track search
>Change the station
>Select music track for CD
Operation using the Control Center
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page 16:
1.Open the start menu by pressing the
button
2.Move the controller backwards to open
"Entertainment".
>"FM" and "AM"
Selecting waveband, storing and calling
up stations
>"WB"
Opening Weather Band station
>"SAT"
Selecting satellite radio
>"CD"
Selecting CD player or CD changer
>"Set"
Updating stations with best reception,
storing stations, setting the tone, play-
ing stations or tracks.

151
Entertainment
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips Communications
Navigation
Mobility
Batteries
Never attempt to disassemble your
BMW portable phone or its battery.
Use only approved battery types Ð the
wrong battery can destroy your portable
phone.
To avoid possible short circuits, after
removing a battery you should never allow
it to come into contact with metallic sur-
faces of any kind.<
Disposing of used batteries
Return used batteries to a recycling
collection point or to your BMW cen-
ter.<
Care instructions
You can find useful information on caring
for your portable phone in the separate
portable phone Owner's Manual and in the
separate Caring for your vehicle brochure.
Controls
You can operate the BMW portable phone*
using:
>The steering wheel, refer to page 11
>The Control Center, refer to page 152
>The voice control, refer to page 157.
You can use the car phone via the hands-
free unit for BMW Assist calls.
The Control Display indicates which tele-
phone you are using to establish a connec-
tion.
Telephoning with the
car phone: BMW Assist calls
You can use the car phone via the hands-
free unit for BMW Assist calls.
The car phone must have been
enabled prior to initial use. In this con-
nection, please contact your BMW cen-
ter.<
Starting the BMW portable phone*
Before starting off, place the BMW portable
phone in the cradle. If you are making a call
using the car phone, you can only use the
BMW portable phone once you have termi-
nated this call.
Inserting the portable phone
1.Press button 1
2.If necessary, remove the protective cap
from the antenna connector on the rear
of the portable phone
3.Insert the portable phone with the
antenna fully retracted
4.Press the cradle downwards.
Removing the portable phone
Press button 1.
For information on operating your
portable phone, please consult the
separate Owner's Manual.<
Hands-free unit
The hands-free microphones are located
on the headlining.