airbag BMW 6 SERIES 2009 Owners Manual

At a glance
15Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1Coupe: glass sunroof, electric with raise
function
*42
2Coupe: microphone for hands-free mode
for telephone
* and voice command
system
*24
Convertible: microphone on steering col-
umn
3Reading lamps109
4Interior lamps108
5Coupe: initiating SOS emergency
request235
6Indicator lamp
for front passenger
airbags97
7Convertible: initiating SOS emergency
request
*235
8Control Display16
9Hazard warning flashers
10Central locking system34
11Automatic climate control11012Changing
>radio station164
>track175
13Ejecting
>navigation DVD
*134
>audio CD174
14Programmable memory buttons22
15Drive for navigation system DVD with Pro-
fessional
* navigation system134
16Drive for audio CDs174
17Entertainment sound output on/off
and adjusting volume161
19Bracket for cup holder120
20Controller16
Can be turned, pressed, or moved in four
directions
21Opening start menu on Control Display18
22Dynamic Driving Control64
23Selecting AM or FM waveband
24Selecting radio, CD and CD changer Temperature setting, left/
right111
Automatic air distribution and
volume111
Cooling function113
AUC Automatic recirculated-air
control113
Recirculated-air mode113
Maximum cooling113
Residual heat mode114
Switching off automatic climate
control114
Air volume112
Defrosting windows and removing
condensation112
Rear window defroster112
18
Heated seats*55
PDC Park Distance Control
*87
DTC Dynamic Traction Control89
Convertible: opening the convert-
ible top44
Convertible: closing the convertible
top44

Controls
49Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Adjusting
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital con-
tribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. In the
interaction with the safety belts, the head
restraints and the airbags, the sitting position
plays an important role in an accident. To
ensure that the safety systems operate with
optimal efficiency, we strongly urge you to
observe the instructions contained in the fol-
lowing section.
For additional information on Transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page58.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance
between yourself and the airbags. Always
hold the steering wheel by its rim with hands at
the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions to mini-
mize the risk of injuries to your hands and arms
in the event of airbag deployment.
No one and nothing is to come between the air-
bags and the seat occupant.
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the
front passenger side as a storage area. Make
sure that the front passenger is sitting correctly
and does not rest feet or legs on the instrument
panel, otherwise leg injuries can occur if the
knee and front airbags are triggered.
Make sure that occupants do not rest their head
on the side or head airbags, otherwise injuries
can occur if the airbags are triggered.<
Even if you adhere to all the instructions, inju-
ries resulting from contact with airbags cannot
be fully excluded, depending on the circum-
stances. The ignition and inflation noise may
provoke a mild hearing loss in extremely sensi-
tive individuals. This effect is usually only tem-
porary.
For airbag locations and additional information
on airbags, refer to page95.
Head restraints
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the
risk of spinal injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint so that its center
is approx. at ear level. Otherwise there is
increased danger of injury in the event of an
accident.<
Head restraints, refer to page52.
Safety belt
Before every drive, make sure that safety belts
are being worn at all of the occupied seats. Air-
bags complement the safety belt as an addi-
tional safety device, but they do not represent a
substitute.
Your vehicle has four seats that are each
equipped with a safety belt.
Never allow more than one person to
wear a single safety belt. Never allow
infants or small children to ride in a passenger's
lap. Make sure that the belt lies low around the
hips in the lap area and does not press on the
abdomen. The safety belt must not lie across
the neck, rub against sharp edges, be routed
over solid or breakable objects or be pinched.
Wear the safety belt without twisting, snugly
across the lap and shoulders, as close to the
body as possible. Otherwise the belt can slip
over the hips in the lap area in a frontal impact
and injure the abdomen. Avoid wearing clothing
that prevents the belt from fitting properly and
pull the belt in the upper body area periodically
to readjust the tension, in order to avoid a
reduction in the restraint of the safety belt.<
Safety belts refer to page54.
Seats
Note before adjusting
Never attempt to adjust your seat while
the vehicle is moving. The seat could
respond with unexpected movement and the

Transporting children safely
58
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 on the rear seat.
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.
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 airbags on the
passenger side must be deactivated before
doing so. Otherwise, there is an increased risk
of injury to the child if the airbags are triggered,
even with a child restraint system.<
For more information on automatic deactivation
of the front passenger airbags, refer to page96.
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.<
On front passenger seat
After mounting a child restraint system on
the front passenger seat, make sure that
the front and side airbags on the front passen-
ger side are deactivated, as otherwise there is
an increased risk of injury if the airbags are trig-
gered.<
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 retract and pull
taut against the child restraint system. The
safety belt is locked.
Unlocking safety belt
1.Open the belt buckle.
2.Remove the child restraint system.
3.Allow the belt webbing to retract com-
pletely.
LATCH child restraint fixing
system
LATCH: Lower Anchor and Tethers for Chil-
dren.

Controls
95Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the
vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning
properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction
telltale after replacing one or more tires or
wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow
the TPMS to continue to function properly.
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 stability-pro-
moting intervention is deactivated when DSC is
switched off, refer to page89.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up yellow and
a message is shown on the Control Dis-
play. Active steering is malfunctioning
or is temporarily deactivated. At low speed,
larger steering wheel movements are required,
while the vehicle reacts more sensitively to
steering wheel movements in the higher road
speed range. The stability-promoting interven-
tion can also be deactivated. Proceed cau-
tiously and drive defensively. Have the system
checked if the active steering is malfunctioning.
Brake force display
>On the left: normal braking.
>On the right: heavy braking.
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the
marked covers:
1Front airbags
2Coupe: Head airbags
3Side airbags4Knee airbag
5Knee airbag

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
96
Protective action
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection,
please observe the adjustment instructions on
page49.<
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 side impact. The relevant side air-
bag supports the side upper body area. The
head air bag supports the head. The knee air-
bag 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 restraint 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 side trim panels on the
doors and on the Coupe, 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 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 executed only by a BMW center
or a workshop that works according to BMW
repair procedures with correspondingly trained
personnel and has the required explosives
licenses. Otherwise unprofessional attempts to
service the system could lead to failure in an
emergency or undesired airbag triggering,
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 airbags on the front pas-
senger 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 in the following.<
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 page58.
The front, knee and side airbags on the front
passenger side can be deactivated for teenag-
ers and adults in certain sitting positions; the
indicator lamp for the front passenger airbags
lights up when this occurs. In these cases,
change the sitting position so that the front pas-
senger airbags are activated and the indicator
lamp goes out. If the desired status cannot be
produced by changing the sitting position,
transport the corresponding person in the rear
seat.
Do not fit seat covers, seat cushion padding,
ball mats or other items onto the front passen-
ger seat unless they are specifically recom-
mended by BMW. Do not lay objects under the
seat which could press against the seat from
below. Otherwise a correct evaluation of the
occupied seat surface cannot be ensured.<

Controls
97Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Operating state of front passenger
airbags
The illustration here shows a possible arrange-
ment in the Coupe. With some vehicle equip-
ment packages or in the Convertible, 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,
knee and side airbags 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 airbags on the front
passenger side are deactivated.
Most child's seats are detected by the
system. Especially the child's seats
required by the NHTSA at the time the vehicle is
manufactured. After installing a child's seat,
make sure that the indicator lamp for the front
passenger airbags lights up. This indicates that
the child's seat has been detected and the front
passenger airbags are not activated.<
>The indicator lamp does not light up if, for
example, the system detects a person of
sufficient size seated correctly on the seat.
The front, knee and side airbags 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 airbags on the
front passenger side are still deactivated.
Operational readiness of airbag system
From radio readiness, refer to page60, 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.<
Convertible: rollover
protection system
The rollover protection system is automatically
activated in the event of an accident or a critical
driving situation, extreme inclination on the lon-
gitudinal axis, or loss of ground contact. The
rollover bars located behind the rear head
restraints are deployed within fractions of a sec-
ond.
As a supplement to the rollover bar integrated
into the windshield frame, the rollover protec-
tion system ensures that all vehicle occupants
have the necessary headroom.
Always keep the path of movement of the
rollover protection system clear.
In minor accidents, you are protected by the
fastened safety belt and, depending on acci-
dent severity, by the safety belt tensioner and
multi-phase airbag retention system.<

Everything from A to Z
250
Everything from A to Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display
texts used to select
individual functions and
refers you to the page where
these texts can be found.
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System88
– indicator lamp90
ACC, refer to Active cruise
control68
Accepted calls194
Accessories6
Accident, refer to Emergency
request235
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate
control114
"Activation time" for parked
car ventilation115
Active cruise control68
– indicator lamp72
– radar sensor72
– selecting distance70
– warning lamps72
Active front head restraints52
Active steering95
– warning lamp95
Adapter for spare key30
Adaptive brake assistant89
Adaptive brake lamps, refer to
Brake force display95
Adaptive Head Light106
"Add digits" in mobile phone
mode194
Additives
– coolant223
– engine oil, refer to Approved
engine oils223
"Address book" in
navigation144Address for navigation
– deleting145
– entering136,139
– selecting145
– storing144
– storing current position144
"Add to address book"144
"Add to destination
list"139,141
Adjusting interior
temperature111
Adjusting the tone during
audio operation, refer to
Tone control161
Adjusting thigh support50
"After door opened"52
"After unlocking"52
Airbags95
– deactivating, refer to
Exception for front
passenger seat58
– indicator/warning lamp97
– indicator lamp for front
passenger airbags97
– sitting safely49
Air distribution
– automatic111
– manual112
Airing, refer to Ventilation114
Air outlets, refer to
Ventilation114
Air recirculation, refer to AUC
Automatic recirculated-air
control113
"Air recirculation on / off"57
Air supply, automatic climate
control110
Air volume112
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications213Alarm system37
– avoiding unintentional
alarms38
– interior motion sensor38
– switching off alarm37
– switching off tilt alarm
sensor and interior motion
sensor38
– tilt alarm sensor38
"All channels"172
"All doors"32
Alloy wheels229
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires219
"All stations", requesting in
radio mode164
Alterations, technical, refer to
For your own safety6
Altering stretch of road152
"AM" waveband160,164
Antenna for mobile phone186
Antifreeze
– coolant223
– washer fluid67
Antilock Brake System
ABS88
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system37
Anti-theft system, refer to
Central locking system31
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights245
Approved engine oils223
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights245
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest119
Around the center console14
Around the steering wheel10
Arrival time
– refer to Computer78
– refer to Starting destination
guidance148

Everything from A to Z
256 Engine
– breaking-in126
– data242
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature76
– speed242
– starting61
– starting, comfort access38
– switching off61
– switching off when equipped
with Automatic
transmission, with comfort
access40
Engine compartment221
Engine coolant223
Engine oil
– adding223
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils223
– approved oils223
– electronic oil level check222
– interval between changes,
refer to Service
requirements79
– oil change223
– oil grades, refer to Approved
engine oils223
– recommended oils223
– temperature77
– temperature gauge77
"Engine oil level"222
Engine output, refer to Engine
data242
Engine speed, refer to Engine
data242
Engine starting, refer to
Starting engine61
"Enter address"136,144
Entering destination via town/
city name137
Entering intersection,
navigation138
Entering rear53
Entering the
address136,139
Entering town/city for
navigation137
Entering zip code for
navigation138"Entertainment"160
Entertainment sound output
on/off161
Entry map for destination141
Equalizer, refer to Tone
control163
"Equalizer", tone control163
"ESN"171
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control89
Event Data Recorders226
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system127
Exterior mirrors55
– adjusting55
– automatic dimming
feature56
– automatic heating55
– folding in and out55
– tilting down passenger-side
exterior mirror56
External audio device119
Eye for tow-starting and
towing, refer to Tow
fitting237
F
Fader, refer to Tone
control162
"Fader", tone control162
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control81
False alarm
– refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms38
– refer to Switching off
alarm37
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts54
Fastest route for
navigation146
"Fast route" in navigation147
Filler neck for washer fluid67
Filter, refer to Microfilter/
activated-charcoal filter114First aid, refer to First-aid
kit236
First-aid kit236
Flashing
– during locking/unlocking,
refer to Setting confirmation
signals33
– triple turn signal
activation66
Flat tire
– Flat Tire Monitor90
– run-flat tires92,93,218
– Tire Pressure Monitor92
– TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor92
– warning lamp92,93
Flat tire, refer to Run-flat
tires218
Flat Tire Monitor90
– false alarms91
– initializing system91
– snow chains219
– system limits91
– warning lamp92
Fluid reservoir, refer to Filler
neck for washer fluid67
FM, waveband164
"FM" waveband160,164
Fog lamps108
– indicator lamp13,108
Folding into raised position
convertible top
compartment floor,
Convertible37
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely128
Footwell lamps, refer to
Interior lamps108
Forward, fast
– CD changer178
– CD player178
For your own safety
6
Freeway, refer to Route
criteria146
Front airbags95
Front passenger airbags
– deactivating96
"FTM"91

Reference 257
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor90
Fuel
– average consumption77
– display77
– fuel specifications213
– high-quality brands213
– quality213
– refer to Average fuel
consumption77
– specifications213
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities245
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge77
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge77
Fuel-efficient driving
– refer to Saving fuel126
Fuel filler door212
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction212
Full mobile phone preparation
package186
Full screen display, refer to
Switching assistance
window off21
"Full screen" with BMW Night
Vision102
Fuses234
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control117
Gasoline, refer to Fuel
specifications213
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel213
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge77
Gearshift lever
– manual transmission62
General driving
notes126,127Glass sunroof, electric with
raise function42
– convenient operation34
– convenient operation with
comfort access39
– moving manually43
– remote control32
Glove compartment118
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system134
Grills, refer to Ventilation114
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights245
H
Handbrake62
– indicator lamp13,62
Hands-free system, refer to
Microphone14
Hand washing228
Hazard warning flashers15
"HD radio"168
HD radio, refer to High
Definition Radio168
Head airbags95
Headlamp
– cleaning tank, refer to
Capacities245
Headlamp control,
automatic104
Headlamp flasher65
Headlamps
– cleaning, refer to Wiper
system66
– filler neck for washer
fluid221
– replacing bulbs231
Head Light, refer to Adaptive
Head Light106
Head restraints
– active front head
restraints52
– front52
– sitting safely49
Head-Up Display98,99Heated
– mirrors55
– rear window112
– seats55
– steering wheel56
Heating111
– exterior mirrors55
– interior110
– rear window112
– residual heat114
– seats55
– steering wheel56
Heating with engine switched
off, refer to Residual
heat114
Heavy cargo, refer to Securing
cargo130
Height, refer to
Dimensions243
Height adjustment
– seats50
– steering wheel56
High-beam assistant106
High beams106
– headlamp flasher106
– indicator lamp13
High Definition Radio168
High-pressure cleaning
jets
227,228
High water, refer to Driving
through water128
Hills128
Holder for cups120
"Home address" in
navigation146
Homepage of BMW4
Hood220
Horn10
Hotel function35
– unlocking manually35
Hot exhaust system127
"Hour memo"85
"House number" in
destination entry139
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to
Brake assist88
Hydroplaning127
– also refer to Minimum tread
depth217

Everything from A to Z
258
I
IBOC, refer to High Definition
Radio168
Ice on roads, refer to Outside
temperature warning76
ID3 tag, refer to Information on
track176
Identification mark
– recommended tire
brands219
– run-flat tires218
– tire coding216
iDrive16
– assistance window21
– changing date and time84
– changing language86
– changing menu page20
– changing settings84
– changing units of measure
and display type86
– confirming selection or
entry20
– controller16
– controls16
– displays, menus18
– operating principle18
– selecting menu item20
– setting brightness85
– start menu18
– status information21
– symbols19
Ignition60
– switched off61
– switched on60
Ignition key, refer to Keys/
remote control30
Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness60
Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on60
Ignition lock60
– starting engine with comfort
access39
i menu18
Imprint2Indicator/warning lamps
– ABS Antilock Brake
System90
– active steering95
– airbags97
– brake system90
– DSC13,89
– DTC13,90
– Flat Tire Monitor92
– fog lamps13,108
– handbrake13,62
– safety belt warning54
– TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor93
Indicator and warning lamps
– overview13
Indicator lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting108
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure214
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor90
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor92
Info menu18
Information
– on another location142
– on current position142
– on destination location142
"Information" in
navigation142
Information menu, refer to
imenu18
"Information on
destination"144
"Info sources"79
Initializing
– Flat Tire Monitor91
– radio, refer to Storing
stations166
– refer to Power failure233
– seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory51
– time and date84
"Input map"141
Installation location
– CD changer178
– drive for navigation DVD134Instructions for navigation
system, refer to Voice
instructions151
Instrument cluster12
Instrument lighting108
Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit10
Integrated key30
Integrated universal remote
control117
Interesting destination for
navigation142
"Interim time"84
Interior lamps108
– switching on with remote
control33
Interior motion sensor38
– switching off38
Interior rearview mirror,
automatic dimming
feature56
Intermittent mode of the
wipers66
J
Jacking points233
Joystick, refer to iDrive16
Jumpering, refer to Jump
starting236
Jump starting236
K
Keyless-Go, refer to Comfort
access38
Keyless opening and closing,
refer to Comfort access38
Key Memory, refer to Personal
Profile30
"Keypad"196
Keys30
– key-related settings, refer to
Personal Profile30
– spare key30
Kick-down, Sport automatic
transmission63
Knee airbags95
Knock control213