climate control BMW 6 SERIES 2008 Owners Manual

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Contents
The fastest way to find specific topics is to use
the index, refer to page242.
Using this Owner's Manual
4Notes
7Reporting safety defects
At a glance
10Cockpit
16iDrive
23Voice command system
Controls
28Opening and closing
47Adjusting
56Transporting children safely
58Driving
74Everything under control
85Technology for comfort, convenience
and safety
102Lamps
108Climate
115Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
124Things to remember when driving
Navigation
132Starting navigation system
134Destination entry
146Destination guidance
155What to do if …
Entertainment
158On/off and tone
162Radio
169Satellite radio
172CD player and CD changer
178AUX-In connection
179USB/audio interface
Communications
184Telephoning
199BMW Assist
Mobility
208Refueling
210Wheels and tires
216Under the hood
221Maintenance
223Replacing components
227Giving and receiving assistance
Reference
234Technical data
238Short commands of voice command
system
242Everything from A to Z

At a glance
15Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1Coupe: glass sunroof, electric with raise
function
*40
2Coupe: microphone for hands-free mode
for telephone
* and voice command
system
*23
Convertible: microphone on steering
column
3Reading lamps107
4Interior lamps106
5Coupe: initiating SOS emergency
request227
6Indicator lamp
for front passenger
airbags95
7Convertible: initiating SOS emergency
request
*227
8Control Display16
9Hazard warning flashers
10Central locking system32
11Automatic climate control10812Changing
>radio station163
>track173
13Ejecting
>navigation DVD
*132
>audio CD173
14Programmable memory/direct selection
buttons21
15Drive for navigation DVD in Professional
*
navigation system132
16Drive for audio CDs173
17Entertainment sound output on/off
and adjusting volume159
19Bracket for cup holder118
20Controller16
Turn, press or move horizontally in four
directions
21Opening start menu on Control Display17
22Dynamic Driving Control62 Temperature setting,
left/right108
Automatic air distribution and
volume109
Cooling function111
AUC Automatic recirculated-air
control111
Recirculated-air mode111
Maximum cooling111
Residual heat mode112
Switching off automatic climate
control112
Air volume110
Defrosting windows and removing
condensation110
Rear window defroster108
18
Heated seats*53
PDC Park Distance Control
*85
DTC Dynamic Traction Control88
Convertible: opening the convert-
ible top43
Convertible: closing the convertible
top43

At a glance
17Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Menu overview
Communication
>Telephone*
>BMW Assist* or TeleService*
Navigation or onboard information
>Navigation system*
>Onboard info, e.g. for displaying of the aver-
age fuel consumption
Entertainment
>Radio
>CD player and CD changer
*
Climate
>Vent settings
>Automatic programs
>Parked car operation
menu
>Switching off the Control Display
>Tone and display settings
>Settings for your vehicle, e.g. for the central
locking system
>Display of maintenance intervals and dead-
lines for legally mandated inspections
>Settings for the telephone
Basic operation
From radio readiness, refer to page58, the fol-
lowing message is shown on the Control Dis-
play:
To hide the message:
Press the controller.
This displays the start menu.
The message is automatically hidden after
approx. 10 seconds.
Start menu
You can call up all the functions of iDrive using
five menu items.
Opening start menu
Press the button.
To open the start menu from the menu:
Press the button twice.

iDrive
18
Opening menu items of start menu
From the start menu, you can call up the four
menu items Communication, Navigation, Enter-
tainment, and Climate by moving the controller
left, right, forward, or back.
You can open the menu by pressing the con-
troller.
Comfort opening of menu items
Comfort opening offers you the option of:
>Opening a menu item of the start menu in
the view last selected
>Direct changing between Communication,
Navigation, Entertainment and Climate
without pressing the button
To do so, move the controller in the corre-
sponding direction and hold it for approx. 2 sec-
onds.
Displays in menu
1Each menu is divided into fields. The cur-
rently selected field appears brighter.
2A symbol indicates the last selected menu
item of the start menu:
1Menu items are usually grouped in horizon-
tal or vertical lists.
2Arrows indicate the possibility of accessing
other menu items that are not currently vis-
ible.
3Settings are displayed graphically or
numerically.
Communication
Navigation or onboard info
Entertainment
Climate
menu

Controls
29Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Personal Profile
The concept
You can set a number of functions of your BMW
individually according to your preferences.
Personal Profile ensures that most of these set-
tings are stored for the remote control currently
in use without you having to do anything. When
the vehicle is unlocked, the corresponding
remote control is detected and the settings
stored for it are called up and carried out.
This means that you will always find your BMW
set to your own personal settings even if
another person with his/her own remote control
and settings has used the vehicle since the last
time you drove it. The individual settings are
stored for a maximum of four remote controls.
Personal Profile settings
Details on the settings are provided on the
specified pages.
>Behavior of the central locking system
when unlocking vehicle, refer to page30
>Automatic locking of the vehicle, refer to
page33
>Programming buttons on steering wheel,
refer to page55
>Displays on Control Display:
>12h/24h clock mode, refer to page83
>Date format, refer to page83
>Brightness of the Control Display, refer
to page83
>Units of measure for consumption,
route/distances, temperature and pres-
sure, refer to page84
>Language on the Control Display, refer
to page84>Lighting settings:
>Triple turn signal activation, refer to
page64
>Welcome lamps, refer to page102
>Pathway lighting, refer to page103
>Daytime running lamps
*, refer to
page103
>High-beam assistant
*, refer to page104
>PDC Park Distance Control
*: optical warn-
ing, refer to page86
>Head-Up Display
*: selection and bright-
ness of display, refer to page97
>BMW Night Vision
*: display settings, refer
to page100
>Automatic climate control: for AUTO pro-
gram and intensity, cooling function, and
automatic recirculated air control/recircu-
lated air mode, temperature, air distribution,
temperature in the upper body region, refer
to page109
>Navigation system
*: voice instructions for
destination guidance, refer to page132
The most recent settings for the following are
also called up during unlocking:
>Programmable memory/direct selection
buttons: selecting stored functions, refer to
page44
>Driver's seat, exterior-mirror and steering-
wheel position, refer to page49
>Audio sources: volume and tone settings,
refer to page159
>Radio: display of stored stations, refer to
page162
>Phone: adjusting volume, refer to page190

Opening and closing
42
Sliding visor
1.Fold the cover downward, if necessary
using the screwdriver from the onboard tool
kit, refer to page223.
2.Insert the Allen wrench supplied with the
onboard tool kit into the opening provided.
3.Use the Allen wrench to move the sliding
visor in the desired direction.
Convertible: top
The fully automatic convertible top combines
secure weather protection with simple and con-
venient operation.
Here are a few tips for getting the maximum
pleasure from your Convertible:
>It is advisable to close the convertible top
when the vehicle is parked. The closed con-
vertible top not only protects the passenger
compartment from unforeseen weather
damage, it also provides a certain amount of
protection from theft. Nonetheless, even if
the convertible top is closed, only keep
valuables in the locked luggage compart-
ment.
>Do not attach luggage rack systems to the
convertible top.In order to avoid damage, do not move the
convertible top at temperatures below
+147/–106.
Do not leave the convertible top in its storage
compartment for longer than one day when wet;
otherwise, damage from moisture can occur.
Do not place any objects on the convertible top;
otherwise, if the top were to be operated, these
objects could fall off and lead to damage or
injury.
Never move the convertible top when the roll-
over protection system is raised.
Driving without having completed the opening
or closing action can lead to damage or injury.
Do not place hands in the top mechanism dur-
ing the opening and closing action. Keep chil-
dren away from the travel path of the convert-
ible top.
For safety reasons, do not move the convertible
top unless the vehicle is stationary.<
If you have initiated top movement with
the vehicle at a stop and then start to
drive, e.g. at a traffic light, you can continue the
initiated operation up to a speed of 20 mph/
30 km/h:
To do so, press and hold the corresponding
button.<
Partial vacuums that occur at higher
speeds in the passenger compartment
can make the convertible top flap. Use the auto-
matic climate control to increase the air volume
so that a partial vacuum in the vehicle does not
occur.<
Prior to opening and closing
>Read the safety precautions above carefully
and comply with them fully.
>Ensure that the convertible top compart-
ment floor in the luggage compartment is
folded down, refer to page35, as otherwise
the convertible top cannot be opened.
>Make sure that the luggage compartment
lid is closed.

Climate
108
Climate
Automatic climate control
1Air directed toward the windshield and
side windows
2Air for the upper body area, refer to
Ventilation on page112
3Air to footwell
4Temperature, left side of passenger
compartment
5Manual air distribution, driver's side
6Defrosting windows and removing
condensation
7Manual air volume, switching off automatic
climate control, residual heat utilization8AUTO program
9Switching cooling function on and off
manually
10Temperature, right side of passenger
compartment
11Manual air distribution, front passenger side
12Maximum cooling
13AUC automatic recirculated-air control/
recirculated air mode
14LED for residual heat utilization and
parked-car ventilation system
15Rear window defroster

Controls
109Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
16Air grill for interior temperature sensor –
please keep clear and unobstructed
The current setting for air distribution is dis-
played on the Control Display.
A congenial climate
The AUTO program offers the optimum air dis-
tribution and air volume for virtually all condi-
tions, refer to AUTO program below. Now you
only need to select an interior temperature that
you find pleasant.
The following sections contain more detailed
information on the available setting options.
Most settings are stored for the remote control
currently in use, also refer to Personal Profile
settings on page29.
AUTO program
The AUTO program handles the
adjustment of air volume and air
distribution to the windshield and
side windows, in the direction of
the upper body and in the footwell.
It also adapts your instructions for the tempera-
ture to outside influences throughout the year.
The cooling is switched on automatically with
the AUTO program. At the same time, a con-
densation sensor controls the program in such
a way that window condensation is prevented
as much as possible.
Intensity of AUTO program
You can adjust the intensity of the AUTO pro-
gram by repeatedly pressing the AUTO button.
The respective current setting is briefly dis-
played on the Control Display when the button
is pressed.
You can also adjust the intensity of the AUTO
program via iDrive.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller to the left to open "Cli-
mate".3.Select "Automatic programs" and press the
controller.
4.Select the desired intensity and press the
controller.
The marked intensity of the automatic
program is switched on.
Convertible program*
When the convertible top is opened, the con-
vertible program can also be selected. In the
convertible program, the automatic climate
control is optimized for driving with the convert-
ible top open. In addition, the air volume is
increased as the speed increases.
If the convertible program has been selected,
it is automatically active every time the top is
opened.
The effect of the convertible program can
be greatly enhanced if the wind deflector
is installed.<
Temperature
Set the desired temperature indi-
vidually on the driver's and front
passenger side.
The automatic climate control
achieves this temperature as quickly as possi-
ble at any time of year, if necessary with the
maximum cooling or heating capacity, and then
keeps it constant.
When switching between different tem-
perature settings in rapid succession, the
automatic climate control does not have suffi-
cient time to achieve the set temperature.<

Climate
110 In the highest setting you activate the maximum
heating output, regardless of the outside tem-
perature.
Adapting temperature in upper body
region
1.Press the button to display the current set-
ting on the Control Display.
2.Select the field by moving the controller and
adjust the temperature by turning the con-
troller.
You can also adjust the temperature in the
upper body region with iDrive.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Open "Climate".
3.Select "Vent settings" and press the con-
troller.
4.Select the field by moving the controller and
adjust the temperature by turning the con-
troller.
Defrosting windows and removing
condensation
Quickly remove ice and condensa-
tion from the windshield and front
side windows.
To do this, also switch on the cooling function.
Rear window defroster
The rear window defroster
switches off automatically after a
certain amount of time.
Convertible: the rear window defroster is only
activated when the rear window is closed.
Depending on the vehicle equipment, upper
wires are used as an antenna and are not part of
the rear window defroster.
Air volume, manual
You can adjust the air volume by
turning. You can reactivate the
automatic mode for the air volume
with the AUTO button.
The air quantity is reduced and if need be, the
ventilation is switched off in order to reduce the
load on the battery. The display stays the same.
Air distribution, manual
You can route the air flowing out into the vehicle
interior via various programs, separately for the
driver's and passenger's side:
>Upper body region
>Upper body region and footwell
>Footwell
>Driver's side: windows and footwell
>Individual program
Selecting program
Press the button repeatedly until
the desired air distribution of the
respective program is shown on
the Control Display.

Controls
111Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Adjusting air distribution individually –
individual program
Your settings are stored in this program.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Open "Climate".
3.Select "Vent settings" and press the con-
troller.
The driver's and front passenger side can
be adjusted separately with the fields on the
right or left side.
4.Select the driver's or front passenger side if
necessary.
Move the controller to the right or left
repeatedly until the driver's side or front
passenger side is selected.
5.Select the desired field by moving the con-
troller.
6.Turn the controller to adjust the air distribu-
tion.
Driver's side:
1Air directed toward the windshield and side
windows
2Air for the upper body
3Air to footwell
Front passenger side:
4Air for the upper body
5Air to footwell
Pressing the AUTO button cancels the
manual air distribution settings.<
The automatic mode for the air volume remains
effective with manual air distribution.
Switching cooling function on and off
The cooling function cools and
dehumidifies the incoming air
before reheating it as needed
according to the temperature setting. This
function is only available when the engine is
running.
The cooling function helps to avoid condensa-
tion on the window surfaces or to quickly
remove them.
Depending on the weather, the windshield may
fog over briefly when the engine is started.
The cooling function is switched on automati-
cally with the AUTO program.
Maximum cooling
Maximally cooled air is obtained as
quickly as possible at an outside
temperature above approx. 327/
06 and with the engine running.
At the lowest temperature, the automatic cli-
mate control switches into recirculating air
mode. The maximum air volume flows out of the
vents for the upper body. It is therefore neces-
sary for these vents to be open for maximum
cooling.
AUC Automatic recirculated-air
control/recirculated-air mode
You can respond to unpleasant
odors or pollutants in the immedi-
ate environment by temporarily
suspending the supply of outside air. The sys-
tem then recirculates the air currently within the
vehicle. In AUC mode, a sensor detects pollut-
ants in the outside air and controls the shut-off
automatically.
Press the button repeatedly to run through the
following control sequence:
>LED off: outside air flows into the vehicle
continuously.
>Right LED on, AUC mode: the system
detects pollutants in the outside air and
responds by blocking the supply of outside
air when required.