BMW 525I 2005 Repair Manual

Driving
60 Active cruise control is not and must not
be used as a collision avoidance/warning
system.<
Since this active cruise control system is
a new technology and operates differ-
ently from conventional cruise control systems
which you may be accustomed to, you are
strongly urged to read all of the pages relating
to this system before use. Pay special attention
to the information contained in the Things to
know about active cruise control section in this
manual beginning on page62.<
Vehicles with manual transmission
You can use the system in the 2nd to 6th gear
within a normal engine speed range and also
change gears. Continuous operation at very
high or very low engine speeds is not possible.
In this case the driver is asked to shift or the
system deactivates itself.
Vehicles with SMG
Continuous operation at very high engine
speeds is not possible in the Sequential mode.
In this case the driver is asked to shift or the
system deactivates itself.
In the Drive mode, the SMG acts similarly to the
automatic transmission in the D position.
Operating active cruise control
1Activate system, store and increase desired
speed
2Activate system, store and decrease
desired speed
3Deactivate system4Recall the stored speed and distance or
increase desired speed by 1 mph/1 km/h
with each press of the button
5Select distance to vehicle driving ahead.
You can choose from four available distance
settings. You will find more detailed infor-
mation on page62.
Adjust your desired speed to the traffic
conditions and remain ready to brake at
all times. Great differences in speed to the vehi-
cles driving ahead, e. g. when quickly approach-
ing a truck or when another vehicle swerves into
your lane, cannot be compensated for by the
system.<
Displays in instrument cluster
1Stored desired speed display
2Detected vehicle display. Lights up when
vehicle driving ahead is detected
3Selected distance to vehicle driving ahead
4Digital speed display.
Appears briefly when you select your
desired speed
The system is activated.
The display 3 appears as soon as
you activate the system and no
vehicle is detected driving ahead.
Vehicle detected.
The display 2 lights up yellow
when a vehicle is detected driving
ahead.

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The system requests that you
intervene by braking or with an
evasive maneuver. The display 2
flashes red and a signal sounds.
The active cruise control cannot
automatically restore the distance to the vehicle
driving ahead. You will find more detailed infor-
mation on page. You will find more detailed
information on page64.
Automatic intervention by ABS or
DSC, or you actuate the handbrake
while driving. The display 2 flashes
yellow. The active cruise control
now only intervenes by braking.
Desired speed, store and increase
Press the lever forward 1 at a driving speed of
more than approx. 20 mph/30 km/h:
The system applies and stores your current
speed as a desired speed. This speed is indi-
cated on the speedometer and displayed briefly
in the instrument cluster.
Subsequently pressing forward increases the
desired speed to the next multiple of 5 mph/
10 km/h. Each time the lever is pressed forward
again, the desired speed is increased by
another 5 mph/10 km/h until a maximum of
110 mph/180 km/h is reached. The speed then
displayed is stored and achieved, provided that
the road is clear.
If the display ACC --- mph/km/h briefly
appears in the instrument cluster, it might
be that conditions necessary for operation are
not currently being met.
To call up Check Control messages, refer to
page67.<
Desired speed, store and decrease
Pull back the lever 2:
The current driving speed is rounded off to the
next multiple of 5 mph/10 km/h, displayed and
stored.
Each time the lever is pulled back again, the
desired speed is decreased by another 5 mph/
10 km/h until the minimum speed of 20 mph/
30 km/h is reached. The speed then displayed
is stored and achieved, provided that the road is
clear.
Deactivate system
Press the lever up or down while the system is
active 3. The displays in the instrument cluster
disappear. You can use the system again as
required.
In addition, the system is deactivated automati-
cally:
>When you apply pressure to the brake pedal
>When you select the automatic transmis-
sion's/SMG's neutral position N
>When the manual transmission is shifted
into neutral
>When you deactivate the DSC Dynamic
Stability Control
>When you actuate the handbrake during
driving
>When the system reduces the speed to
below 20 mph/30 km/h due to a traffic situ-
ation
The system deactivates automatically
when the speed is set to below 20 mph/
30 km/h. An acoustic signal sounds and a mes-
sage appears on the Control Display. The active
intervention of the driver is required.<
When you switch off the ignition, the stored
desired speed is deleted.
Resume stored desired speed and
distance setting
Press button 4 when the system is deactivated.
The displays appear in the instrument cluster.
The system is reactivated and uses the last
stored desired speed and distance setting.

Driving
62
Fine adjustment of desired speed
In the activated state, the desired speed
increases by 1 mph/1 km/h each time button4
is pressed briefly.
Select distance
You can choose from four distance steps.
>Rotary switch downward:
Increase distance
>Rotary switch upward:
Decrease distance
The selected distance is displayed in the instru-
ment cluster. Distance 1
Distance 2
Distance 3
This distance is always set when
the system is used for the first time
after starting the engine.
Distance 4
Use good judgment to select the appro-
priate following distance given road con-
ditions, traffic, applicable laws and driving rec-
ommendations for safe following distance.<
Things to know about active cruise control
As with conventional cruise control sys-
tems, active cruise control in no way
diminishes or substitutes for the driver's own
personal responsibility, alertness and aware-
ness in adjusting speed, braking or otherwise
controlling the vehicle. The driver should
decide when to use the system on the basis of
road, traffic, visibility, and weather conditions.
Active cruise control is intended for use on
highway-type roadways where traffic is moving
relatively smoothly. Do not use this system in
city driving; heavy traffic such as during rush hour; on curvy, winding roads, slippery roads or
roads with sharp curves such as highway off-
ramps; during inclement weather such as snow,
strong rain or fog; or when entering inter-
changes, service/parking areas or toll booths.
It is also important to regulate your vehicle's
speed and distance setting within applicable
legal limits. Always be ready to take action or
apply the brakes if necessary, especially when
the system is actively following a vehicle in front
of you.<

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Always remember that the range and abil-
ity of the system does have physical limi-
tations. It will not apply the brakes or decelerate
your vehicle when there is a slow-moving vehi-
cle, stopped vehicle or stationary object ahead
of you, as for example, at a traffic light or a
parked vehicle. Also, the system does not react
to oncoming traffic, pedestrians or other types
of potential traffic such as a rider on horseback.
It is also possible that the system may not
detect smaller moving objects such as motor-
cycles or bicycles. Be especially alert when
encountering any of these situations as the sys-
tem will neither automatically brake, nor provide
a warning to you. Also, be aware that every
decrease in the distance setting allows your
vehicle to come closer to a vehicle in front of
you and requires a heightened amount of alert-
ness.<
If while your vehicle is actively following a vehi-
cle in front of you and the vehicle ahead speeds
up or the lane ahead becomes clear, then your
vehicle will accelerate to the speed you have
selected. Be aware that changing to a clear,
unobstructed lane will also result in your vehicle
accelerating.
Be certain to deactivate the system when
you pull into an exit lane for a highway off-
ramp.<
Also, vehicles traveling in a staggered manner
on a highway may cause a delay in the system's
reaction to a vehicle in front of you or may cause
the system to react to a vehicle actually in the
lane next to you. Always be ready to take action
or apply the brakes if necessary.
Active cruise control can only decelerate the
vehicle to approx. 20 mph/30 km/h. If the sys-
tem reduces vehicle speed below 20 mph/
30 km/h or if DSC/ABS is engaged while driving,
the system will automatically deactivate.
Remember, the system cannot stop your
vehicle. In addition, the system is deacti-
vated whenever the driver applies the vehicle
brakes, shifts the transmission to neutral/N, or
deactivates DSC. After any deactivation, the
system will no longer automatically activate the
vehicle brakes, which means the driver must intervene and resume manual braking. You
should then reactivate the system only when
you are fully aware of the prior speed and dis-
tance settings.<
Active cruise control may brake when you
reduce the stored desired speed; however, the
driver must constantly monitor traffic and inter-
vene if necessary.
When you switch off the engine or ignition,
active cruise control is fully switched off, too,
and any settings you have selected are can-
celed.
Behavior in curves
Because of the limited range of the system, it is
possible that in curves or on the peaks and val-
leys of hilly roads, a vehicle ahead may be rec-
ognized late, or not at all. Therefore, it is up to
the driver to select a speed that is prudent in
view of the curves and terrain of the roadway.
In approaching a curve, it is possible that active
cruise control would react briefly to a vehicle in
the adjacent lane. In addition, the system can
sense if your vehicle is in a curve and may not
accelerate. If your vehicle decelerates in either
case, you can choose to overcome the deceler-
ation by briefly pressing the accelerator pedal.

Driving
64
Driver interventions
Anytime the driver presses down on the
accelerator pedal, any automatic braking
action by the system is interrupted until the
pedal is fully released. After doing this, release
the accelerator and the system again controls
your cruising speed and distance setting. While
driving with activated system, resting your foot
on the accelerator pedal will cause the system
not to brake even if necessary. Be certain that
floormats or other objects on the vehicle floor
do not interfere with movement of the accelera-
tor pedal.<
While active cruise control is capable of
braking your vehicle automatically when
you approach a slower vehicle ahead, it is
important to be aware that the ability of the sys-
tem to apply the brakes is also limited, particu-
larly if you are driving down a steep grade or
when you reduce your desired speed sharply.
The system cannot stop your vehicle. It uses
only a portion of braking system capacity and
does not utilize the full capacity of the vehicle
braking system. Therefore, the system cannot
decrease your speed for large differences in
speed between your vehicle and the vehicle
ahead. Examples: during emergency braking,
when you approach a vehicle traveling at a
much lower speed than your own speed such as
approaching a toll booth or when a much slower
vehicle cuts in front of you at close range.<
Whenever active cruise control
recognizes a situation that requires
driver braking because the system
capacity has been reached or has
been exceeded, the system alerts
the driver by flashing this symbol in the instru-
ment cluster and sounding a signal.
Swerving vehicles
When a vehicle moves from an adjacent lane
into your lane, active cruise control will not rec-
ognize this vehicle until it is fully in your lane
ahead of your vehicle.
Malfunction
The indicator lamp lights up and a mes-
sage appears on the Control Display.
The build-up of foreign matter, e. g.,
snow, ice, dirt, road debris etc., can lead to
reduced detection performance of active cruise
control. You should check the sensor under the
front bumper and clean it as necessary prior to
driving your vehicle. If the sensor becomes cov-
ered by foreign matter or has a malfunction, it is
possible that the sensor will no longer be able to
detect vehicles in front of you. After the system
recognizes that the sensor is no longer func-
tional, a message is displayed on the Control
Display and an acoustic signal is emitted.
When the system does not recognize any
objects, e.g. on infrequently traveled roads
without a shoulder or guard rails, the system
can automatically deactivate temporarily.

Controls
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Everything under control
Odometer, outside
temperature display, clock
When the ignition is off you can briefly activate
the time, outside temperature and odometer
displays by pressing the knob 3 in the instru-
ment cluster.
1 Outside temperature display, time,
date
The outside temperature and the time are dis-
played as of ignition key position 1.
Date retrieval:
Press CHECK button on turn signal lever, refer
to page69.
Time and date setting, refer to page74.
You can set the measurement unit 7 or 6 on
the Control Display, refer to Measurement units
on page73.
Ice warning
A signal sounds when the outside temperature
falls to approx. +37.57/+36; this is accompa-
nied by a message.
Please bear in mind that the ice warning
does nothing to alter the fact that black
ice may be present on roads at temperatures
higher than +37.57/+36, e. g. on bridges and
shaded roads.<
2 Odometer and trip odometer
Resetting trip odometer: press the knob3 in the
instrument cluster.
Tachometer
The white-striped advance warning field,
arrow1, changes depending on the engine
temperature. The segments disappear in
sequence as the engine warms to its normal
operating temperature. Avoid allowing the
engine speed to rise as far as the orange warn-
ing sector whenever possible.
Engine speeds in the red warning field, arrow2,
must absolutely be avoided. In this range, the
fuel supply is interrupted to protect the engine.

Everything under control
66
Energy Control
Displays the current fuel consumption. This
allows you to see whether your current driving
style is conducive to fuel economy with mini-
mum exhaust emissions.
Fuel gage
Fuel tank capacity: approx. 18.5 gallons/
70 liters, including the reserve capacity of
approx. 2.1 gallons/8 liters. You can find infor-
mation 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.
After the reserve quantity has been reached, a
message appears for a short time on the Con-
trol Display; the remaining range is shown in the
computer. With a range below 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, as otherwise engine functions are not
ensured and damage can occur.<
Service requirements
The remaining travel distance and the date for
the next maintenance are displayed briefly
when the ignition key is in position 2.
Your BMW Service Advisor can deter-
mine your vehicle's current service
requirements by reading out the data stored in
the master key.<
Additional information
You can view additional information on service
and maintenance procedures on the Control
Display.
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page16.
1.Open the menu.
2.Select "Service" and press the controller.
3.Select "Service requirements" and press
the controller.
4.Select "Status" and press the controller
The display shows a list of selected service and
maintenance procedures, as well as legally
mandated inspections.

Controls
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Symbols
No service is currently required.
The deadline for service or a legally man-
dated inspection is approaching. Please
arrange a service appointment soon.
The service deadline has already passed.
You can request more detailed information on
every entry.
Select the entry and press the controller.
To exit from the menu:
Select the arrow and press the controller.
Entering dates for state emission and
vehicle inspections
Make sure the date on the Control Display is
always set correctly, refer to page74, as other-
wise the effectiveness of CBS Condition Based
Service is not ensured.
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page16.
1.Open the menu.
2.Select "Service" and press the controller
3.Select "Service requirements" and press
the controller.
4.Select "Status" and press the controller5.Select "Emission inspect." or "State
inspection" and press the controller.
6.Select "Set service date" and press the
controller. The month is highlighted.
7.Turn the controller to make the adjustment.
8.Press the controller to apply the setting.
The year is highlighted.
9.Turn the controller to make the adjustment.
10.Press the controller to apply the setting.
The date entry is stored.
To exit from 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.
Supplementary messages on the Control Dis-
play are intended to assist you in assessing the
severity of malfunctions; they provide you with
the information you need to decide on the best
way to respond.

Everything under control
68 An example of a message is given below.
In the instrument cluster
This symbol means that a Check Control
message has been generated. The symbol
remains even if the message has been automat-
ically masked after a short time, but is still in
memory.
On the Control Display
An acoustic signal sounds at the same time.
Supplementary instructions
Example:
Exit supplementary instructions:
Select the arrow and press the controller.
Importance of messages
Important messages remain until the malfunc-
tions have been corrected. They cannot be
deleted. If a number of malfunctions occur
simultaneously, they are displayed in succes-
sion.
Less important messages are displayed for
approx. 20 seconds, but remain in memory.
To blank out these messages during the display
period:
Press the CHECK button on turn signal lever.
Check Control symbol and information
on the Control Display
No malfunctions are present in the moni-
tored systems.
Malfunctions are present in the moni-
tored systems.
Depending on the malfunction, supple-
mentary information is shown on the
Control Display.
The symbols also indicate the status of the ser-
vice requirements display, refer to page66.

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69Reference
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Recalling stored messages
Using CHECK button
1.Hold the button down:
The first stored message is displayed.
2.Press the button:
When the button is pressed again, a differ-
ent message is displayed.
Using Control Center
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page16.
1.Press button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Service" and press the controller.
4.Select "Check Control messages" and
press the controller. The stored messages
appear on the display5.Select a message and press the controller.
The display disappears automatically after a
short time.
In order to exit from the display immediately:
Select the arrow and press the controller.
Displays after completion of trip
Malfunction reports generated during the trip
are shown consecutively when you switch off
the ignition.
Before the display disappears, you can display
the messages once again. Press the CHECK
button for approx. 2 seconds. If several mes-
sages are present, you can continue to press
the CHECK button to view them in succession.
The display goes out
>automatically after a brief period
>when you press the CHECK button again
for approximately 2 seconds.
Computer
Requesting functions
As of ignition key position 1, you can use the BC
button in the turn signal lever to call up com-
puter information in the instrument cluster.