navigation system BMW 530XI TOURING 2006 E61 Owner's Guide
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The symbols also indicate the status of the ser-
vice requirements display, refer to page77.
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
Speed limit
You can enter a speed and a Check Control 
message indicates when you have reached this 
speed. This enables you, for example, to 
receive warnings if you exceed a speed limit in 
an urban area.
You are only warned of reaching this speed a 
second time if your vehicle speed falls below it 
again by at least 3 mph/5 km/h.
Displaying, setting or changing limit
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to 
page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Open "Navigation".
Without navigation system
*:
Open "Car Data".
3.Select "Car Data" and press the controller.4.Select "Limit" and press the controller.
5.Select the speed value and press the con-
troller.
6.Turn the controller to set the limit. If 
needed, hold it against a slight resistance 
to enter a larger difference.
7.Press the controller to apply the setting.
The limit is automatically activated.
Applying your current speed as limit
Select "Select current speed" and press the 
controller. The system adopts your current 
speed as the limit.
Activating limit
Select "On" and press the controller.
 Limit is automatically activated.
Stopwatch
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to 
page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Open "Navigation".
Without navigation system
*:
Open "Car Data".
3.Select "Car Data" and press the controller. 
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Technology for comfort, convenience and 
safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
The PDC assists you when you are parking. 
Acoustic signals and an optical display
* alert 
you to the approach of an object from behind 
your vehicle. To measure the distance, there 
are four ultrasonic sensors in each bumper. 
The range of these sensors is approx. 7 ft/2 m. 
However, an acoustic warning first sound for 
the sensors at the front and at the two rear cor-
ners at approx. 24 in/60 cm, and for the center 
rear sensors at approx. 5 ft/1.50 m.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate 
objects when they are approached 
slowly, as is usually the case when parking. 
Avoid approaching an object at high speed, oth-
erwise the physical circumstances would mean 
that the system warning was too late.<
Automatic activation
The system starts to operate automatically 
approx. 1 second after you select reverse gear 
or move the selector lever into the R position 
with the engine running or the ignition switched 
on.
Wait this short period before driving.
Manual activation
Press button, the LED lights up.
Manual deactivation
Press the button again; the LED goes out.
After driving approx. 165 ft/50 m or at over 
approx. 20 mph/30 km/h, the system is 
switched off and the LED goes out. You can 
reactivate the system manually as needed.
Signal tones
When nearing an object, the position is corre-
spondingly indicated by an interval tone. Thus, 
an object detected to the left rear of the vehicle 
will be indicated by a signal tone from the left 
rear speaker, etc. As the distance between 
vehicle and object decreases, the intervals 
between the tones become shorter. If the dis-
tance to the nearest object falls to below 
roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then a continuous tone 
sounds.
An intermittent tone is interrupted after approx. 
3seconds:
>if you remain in front of an object that was 
only detected by one of the corner sensors
>if you drive parallel to a wall
Malfunction
The LED in the button flashes and a message 
appears on the Control Display. PDC is mal-
functioning. Have the system checked.
To prevent this problem, keep the sensors 
clean and free of ice or snow in order to ensure 
that they will continue to operate effectively. Do 
not spray the sensors with high-pressure clean-
ers for long periods and maintain a distance of 
at least 4 in/10 cm to them.
PDC with visual warning*
You can also have the system show distances 
to objects on the Control Display. Objects that 
are farther away are already shown there before 
a signal tone sounds. The setting is stored for 
the remote control currently in use. 
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driver. Therefore, do not reduce the additional 
safety margin further by taking risks.<
Deactivating DSC
Press the button until the DSC indicator lamp in 
the instrument cluster lights up, but not longer 
than approx. 10 seconds. DTC Dynamic Trac-
tion Control and DSC are deactivated together. 
Stabilizing and drive output promoting actions 
are no longer executed. In addition, the stability 
promoting intervention of the active steering
* 
is deactivated, refer to page93.
A message appears on the Control Display. 
Please note any supplementary information 
that appears there.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again 
as soon as possible.
Activating DSC
Press the button; the indicator lamp in the 
instrument cluster goes out.
For better control
The indicator lamp flashes: 
DSC controls the drive forces and 
brake forces. 
The indicator lamp lights up: 
DSC is deactivated.
DTC Dynamic Traction Control
DTC is a version of DSC in which the drive out-
put is optimized for particular road conditions, 
e.g. unplowed snow-covered roads. The sys-
tem assures the maximal drive output, but with 
reduced driving stability. It is therefore neces-
sary to drive with appropriate caution.You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC 
under the following special circumstances:
>When driving on snowy inclines, in slush, or 
on unplowed, snow-covered road surfaces
>When rocking a stuck vehicle free or start-
ing off in deep snow or on loose ground
>When driving with snow chains
*
Activating DTC
Press the button briefly; the DTC indicator lamp 
in the instrument cluster lights up.
For better control
The indicator lamp flashes: 
DTC controls the drive forces and 
brake forces.
The indicator lamp lights up: 
DTC is activated. 
Deactivating DTC
Press the button again; the DTC indicator lamp 
in the instrument cluster goes out.
xDrive on 525xi, 530xi
xDrive is the 4-wheel drive system of your 
BMW. The combined effects of xDrive and DSC 
further optimize the traction and dynamic driv-
ing characteristics. The 4-wheel drive system 
xDrive variably distributes the drive torque to 
the front and rear axle depending on the driving 
situation and prevailing road conditions. 
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Malfunction
If the HDC display goes out in the HDC mode or 
is not shown:
HDC is temporarily not available, as the brake 
temperature is too high.
Dynamic Drive*
The concept
Dynamic Drive minimizes body roll and opti-
mizes vehicle stability during cornering and 
evasive maneuvers.
Dynamic Drive is based on active stabilizers on 
the front and rear axles. Suspension compli-
ance adapts to suit driving conditions, varying 
from performance-oriented during cornering to 
smooth and comfort-oriented when the vehicle 
is proceeding in a straight line. During vehicle 
operation, the system continuously runs 
through closed-loop control cycles lasting only 
fractions of a second.
The system assumes operational status each 
time you start the engine.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up yellow and 
a message is shown on the Control Dis-
play. There is a malfunction in the sys-
tem. Have the system checked as soon as pos-
sible.
If a malfunction occurs, please remember 
to adapt your speed accordingly, espe-
cially in curves. 
The suspension will be noticeably softer and 
the vehicle will display a greater tendency to tilt 
during cornering and in crosswinds. 
If a message stating that you should stop is 
shown on the Control Display, stop at a suitable 
location and switch off the engine as soon as 
possible. In this case the oil level in the reservoir 
may have dropped below the minimum, possi-
bly owing to a leak in the hydraulic system. 
Do not continue driving, but instead contact 
your BMW center.<
Sports Wagon: 
Self-leveling suspension
xDrive: the vehicle is raised somewhat at 
the rear after locking. This is normal and is 
linked to minor noises.<
Malfunction
The warning lamp for self-leveling sus-
pension lights up yellow and a message 
is shown on the Control Display. A mal-
function has occurred in the self-leveling sus-
pension. Stop and check the vehicle. If it is con-
siderably lower at the rear than at the front, and 
possibly also on one side – rear left compared to 
rear right –, go to the nearest BMW center or a 
workshop that works according to BMW repair 
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel. Drive with appropriate caution in the 
meantime. The vehicle has reduced ground 
clearance and driving comfort may be notice-
ably reduced. Even if the position of the vehicle 
is normal, go to the nearest BMW center or a 
workshop that works according to BMW repair 
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel.
Flat Tire Monitor FTM
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the infla-
tion pressures in the tires as you drive. The sys-
tem provides an alert whenever the inflation 
pressure drops significantly in relation to the 
pressure in another tire.
In the event of a pressure loss, the rolling radius 
and therefore the rotation speed of the wheels 
change. This change is detected and is 
reported as a flat tire.
Functional requirement
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat 
tire, the system must be initialized for the cor-
rect tire inflation pressure. 
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If the tire inflation pressure in all four 
tires is correct, the Flat Tire Monitor 
may not have been initialized. The system 
must then be initialized.<
3.In the event of complete tire pressure loss, 
0 psi/0 kPa, you can estimate the possible 
distance for continued driving on the basis 
of the following guide values:
>With a light load: 
1 to 2 persons without luggage: 
approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With a medium load: 
2 persons, luggage compartment or 
cargo area full, or 4 persons without 
luggage: 
approx. 94 miles/150 km
>With a full load: 
from 4 persons, luggage compartment 
or cargo area full: 
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a 
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. In the event of 
pressure loss, vehicle handling changes. This 
includes reduced tracking stability in braking, 
extended braking distance and altered natural 
steering characteristics. 
If unusual vibrations or loud noises occur while 
the vehicle is being driven, this can indicate final 
failure of the damaged tire. Reduce speed and 
stop at a suitable location as soon as possible, 
otherwise pieces of the tire could become 
detached and cause an accident. Do not con-
tinue driving, but instead contact your BMW 
center.<
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor*
The concept
TPM checks the tire inflation pressure in the 
four mounted tires. The system reports when 
the tire inflation pressure has dropped consid-
erably in one or several tires.
Functional requirement
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat 
tire, the system must have been reset with the 
correct tire inflation pressure.
Always use wheels with TPM electronics, as 
otherwise fault-free operation of the system is 
not ensured.
Reset the system again after each correc-
tion of the tire inflation pressure and after 
every tire or wheel change.<
System limits
TPM cannot announce sudden serious 
tire damage caused by external influ-
ences.<
The system does not function properly if it has 
not been reset, e.g. a flat tire is reported despite 
correct tire inflation pressures.
The system is inactive and cannot display a flat 
tire if a wheel has been mounted without TPM 
electronics, e.g. a compact wheel, or if TPM is 
temporarily interfered with by other systems or 
devices which use the same radio frequency.
Status display on Control Display
The tire and system status is indicated by the 
color of the tires.
TPM takes the fact that the tire pressure 
changes during driving into account. A correc-
tion is only required if requested by TPM with 
the color.
Green
The tire pressure matches the learned set state.
"TPM active" is displayed on the Control Dis-
play.
A wheel is yellow
Flat tire or a major drop in inflation pressure in 
the indicated tire. A message appears on the 
Control Display. 
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Standard tires
1.If all four wheels are shown in yellow, iden-
tify the damaged tire on the vehicle.
2.Replace the damaged wheel or wheels, 
refer to Changing wheels on page215.
In contrast to a compact wheel, a spare wheel is 
equipped with the necessary TPM electronics 
and also monitored after mounting and after 
resetting the system.
Have the tire replaced by a BMW center or a 
workshop informed on handling TPM which 
works according to BMW repair procedures 
with correspondingly trained personnel.
Run-flat tires*
1.Cautiously reduce speed to below 50 mph/
80 km/h. Avoid sudden braking and steer-
ing maneuvers. Do not exceed a speed of 
50 mph/80 km/h.
If the vehicle is not equipped with run-
flat tires, refer to page201, do not 
continue driving. Continuing to drive with a 
flat tire could cause severe accidents.<
2.In the event of complete tire pressure loss, 
0 psi/0 kPa, you can estimate the possible 
distance for continued driving on the basis 
of the following guide values:
>With a light load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With a medium load:
2 persons, luggage compartment or 
cargo area full, or 4 persons without 
luggage:
approx. 95 miles/150 km
>With a full load:
from 4 persons, luggage compartment 
or cargo area full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a 
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. In the event of 
pressure loss, vehicle handling changes. This 
includes reduced tracking stability in braking, 
extended braking distance and altered natural 
steering characteristics.
If unusual vibrations or loud noises occur while the vehicle is being driven, this can indicate final 
failure of the damaged tire. Reduce speed and 
stop at a suitable location as soon as possible, 
otherwise pieces of the tire could become 
detached and cause an accident. Do not con-
tinue driving, but instead contact your BMW 
center.<
Malfunction
The yellow warning light flashes and 
then lights up continuously. The tires 
are shown in gray on the Control Dis-
play and a message is displayed. No flat tire can 
be detected.
A message like this is displayed in the following 
situations:
>In case of a malfunction;
have the system checked.
>If a wheels is mounted without TPM elec-
tronics
>If TPM is temporarily interfered with by 
other systems or devices which use the 
same radio frequency.
Active steering*
The concept
The active steering is a system that actively var-
ies the steering angle of the front wheels in rela-
tion to the steering wheel movements.
When you are driving in the low road speed 
range, e. g. in a town or when parking, the steer-
ing angle increases, i.e. the steering becomes 
very direct. In the higher speed range, on the 
other hand, the steering angle is reduced more 
and more. This improves the handling capability 
of your BMW over the entire speed range.
In critical situations, the system can make tar-
geted corrections to the steering angle pro-
vided by the driver and thus stabilize the vehicle 
before the driver intervenes. This stabilizing 
intervention is simultaneously deactivated 
when DSC is switched off, refer to page87. 
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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 airbag on the front passenger side are acti-
vated or deactivated accordingly by the system.
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 page54.
The front and side airbag 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 
up. In these cases, change the seat position so 
that the front passenger airbags are activated 
and the indicator lamp goes out. If the desired 
status cannot be produced by changing the 
seat position, transport the corresponding per-
son on the rear seat. Do not fit seat covers, seat 
cushion padding, ball mats or other items onto 
the front passenger seat unless they are specif-
ically recommended by BMW. Do not lay 
objects under the seat which could press 
against the seat from below. Otherwise a cor-
rect evaluation of the occupied seat surface 
cannot be ensured.<
Operating state of front passenger 
airbags
Depending on the vehicle's equipment, the 
arrangement of the switches and indicator 
lamps may differ somewhat.
The indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags indicates the operating status of the front 
and side airbag on the front passenger side 
depending on the seat occupation. The indica-
tor lamp shows whether the front passenger 
airbags are activated or deactivated.
>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 and side airbag on the front pas-
senger side are not activated.
>The indicator lamp does not light up when, 
for example, a correctly seated person of 
sufficient height is detected on the seat. 
The front and side airbag on the front pas-
senger side are activated.
>The indicator lamp does not light up when 
the seat is empty.
However, the front and side airbag on the 
front passenger side are not activated. 
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Operational readiness of airbag system
From radio readiness, refer to page58, the 
warning lamp lights up briefly, indicating the 
operational readiness of the entire airbag sys-
tem and the safety belt tensioners.
Airbag system malfunction
>Warning lamp does not light up from radio 
readiness.
>Warning lamp lights up continuously.
Have the airbag system checked immedi-
ately in case of a malfunction, otherwise 
there is a danger that the airbag system may not 
respond in the expected manner in an accident 
despite an impact of corresponding intensity.<
Head-Up Display*
The concept
With the Head-Up Display important informa-
tion is projected into the driver's field of view, 
e.g. navigation instructions. This enables you to 
take in this information without looking away 
from the road.
Switching on/off
With the engine running or the ignition switched 
on:
Press the button to activate or deactivate the 
Head-Up Display.
1Navigation instructions
2Display
>Cruise control
>Active cruise control
3Speed 
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Selecting displays
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 "Display settings" and press the 
controller.
4.Select "Head-Up Display" and press the 
controller.
5.Select desired information of Head-Up Dis-
play.
6.Press the controller.
 The information is shown on the Head-
Up Display.
The settings are stored for the remote key cur-
rently in use.
Setting brightness
The brightness of the display is automatically 
adapted to the ambient lighting conditions. 
However, you can change the base setting. 
With the low beams switched on, the brightness 
can also be adjusted with the knurled wheel of 
the instrument lighting.
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to 
page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Display settings" and press the 
controller.4.Select "Brightness" and press the control-
ler.
5.Move the controller to the left to select 
"Head-Up Display".
6.Turn the controller until the desired setting 
is selected.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Notes
The visibility of the displays in the Head-Up Dis-
play is influenced by:
>Sunglasses with certain polarization filters
>Certain seating positions
>Objects on the cover of the Head-Up Dis-
play
>Wet road surface and unfavorable lighting 
conditions
If the image is distorted, please have the basic 
setting checked at a BMW center.
Special windshield
The windshield is part of the system. The shape 
of the windshield complies with the require-
ments of the Head-Up Display to enable a pre-
cise display. A film in the windshield prevents 
the double images from being displayed. 
Windshield replacement should be carried out 
by a BMW center or a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.
Care instructions
You can find everything you need to know on 
this topic by consulting the separate Caring for 
your vehicle brochure. 
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>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 page101.
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 page53.
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.