BMW 640I CONVERTIBLE 2013 Owners Manual

System limitsBe alert
Due to system limitations, warnings may
be not be issued at all, or may be issued late or
improperly. Therefore, always be alert and ready
to intervene; otherwise, there is the danger of an
accident occurring.◀
Detection range
The detection capacity of the radar sensor and
the collision warning has limitations.
This may result in the warning not being issued
or being issued late.
For example, the following situations may not be
detected:▷Slow moving vehicles when you approach
them at high speed.▷Vehicles that suddenly swerve in front of you
or sharply decelerating vehicles.▷Vehicles with an unusual rear appearance.▷Two-wheeled vehicles ahead of you.▷Pedestrians.
Functional limitations
The system may not be fully functional in the
following situations:
▷In heavy fog, rain, sprayed water or snowfall.▷In tight curves.▷If the radar sensor is dirty or obscured.
Prewarning sensitivity
Depending on the set prewarning time, this may
result in increased false warnings.
Night Vision with pedestrian
detection
The concept
Night Vision with pedestrian detection is a night
vision system.
An infrared camera records the area in front of
the vehicle and displays the image on the Con‐
trol Display.
The picture is a heat image. The system has an
integrated pedestrian detection function that
detects pedestrians and cyclists. Warm objects
that are similar in shape to human beings are
detected by the system.
Personal responsibility
Night Vision cannot replace the driver's
personal judgment of the visibility conditions
and the traffic situation. The view ahead and the
actual visibility conditions must always be the
basis on which the vehicle speed is adjusted;
otherwise, there is a risk to road safety.◀
Heat image
The image shows the heat radiated by objects
in the field of view of the camera.
Warm objects have a light appearance and cold
objects, a dark appearance.
The ability to detect an object depends on the
temperature difference between the object and
the background and on the level of heat radiation
emitted by the object. Objects that are similar in
temperature to the environment or that radiate
very little heat are difficult to detect.
For safety reasons, when driving at speeds
above approx. 3 mph/5 km/h and in low ambient
light, the image is only displayed when the low
beams are switched on.
A still image is displayed at regular intervals for
a fraction of a second.
Seite 111SafetyControls111
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 903 169 - 07 12 490

Pedestrian detection
The pedestrian detection and warning system
only operates in darkness and only when a heat
image is displayed.
Warm objects that are similar in shape to human
beings are detected by the system.
People detected by the system are displayed
with a slight yellow hue.
Under good ambient conditions, the pedestrian
detection system operates within a range of ap‐
prox. 50 ft/15 m to approx. 330 ft/100 m.
Environmental influences can limit the availabil‐
ity of pedestrian detection.
If pedestrian detection is not available, a symbol
is displayed in the heat image.
This symbol disappears when the function be‐
comes available again.
Warning of people in danger
If the system detects a person in a defined area
in front of the vehicle and if there is the danger
of collision with this person, a warning symbol
appears on the Control Display and in the Head-
up Display.
Although both the shape and the heat radiation
are analyzed, false warnings cannot be ruled out.
Warning area in front of the vehicle
The warning area in front of the vehicle is divided
into two areas.
▷Central area 1 directly in front of the vehicle.▷Expanded area 2 to the right and left.
The entire area moves along with the vehicle in
the direction of the steering angle and changes
with the vehicle speed. As the vehicle speed in‐
creases, the area becomes longer and wider, for
example.
Prewarning The yellow symbol is displayed when a
person is detected in the central area,
Seite 112ControlsSafety112
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 903 169 - 07 12 490

arrow 1, immediately in front of the vehicle.The yellow symbol is displayed when a
person detected in the extended area,
arrow 2, is moving from the right or left
to the central area.
Acute warning The red symbol is displayed and a signal
sounds. You are requested to intervene
immediately by braking or making an
evasive maneuver.
Display in the Head-up Display The warning is displayed simultane‐
ously in the Head-Up Display and on the
Control Display. The displayed symbol
can vary with the people detected. For people
located in the central area, the distance to the
person is indicated by the size of the symbol.
System limits
Basic limits
System operation is limited in situations such as
the following:▷On steep hills, in steep depressions or in
tight curves.▷When the camera is dirty or the protective
glass is damaged.▷In heavy fog, rain or snowfall.▷At very high external temperatures.
Limits of pedestrian detection
Animals are not detected by the pedestrian de‐
tection function, even if they are clearly visible in
the image.
Limited pedestrian detection:
▷People who are fully or partially covered, es‐
pecially when their heads are covered.▷People who are not in an upright position,
e.g., lying down.▷Cyclists on unconventional bicycles (e.g.,
recumbent bicycles).▷After physical damage to the system, e.g.,
after an accident.
Activation/deactivation
Press the button.
Display
Adjustments via the iDrive
With Night Vision switched on:
1.Activate Night Vision with pedestrian detec‐
tion.2.Press the controller.3.Open the desired menu item.▷ "Brightness"▷ "Contrast"▷ "Pedestrian detection"
The settings are stored for the remote control
currently in use.
Seite 113SafetyControls113
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 903 169 - 07 12 490

Camera
Rain, dirt, snow, or ice can impair camera oper‐
ation.
The camera is automatically heated when the
external temperatures are low.
The camera is automatically cleaned together
with the headlamps.
Clean the lens, refer to page 214.
Lane departure warning
The concept
Starting at a specific speed, this system alerts
you when the vehicle on streets with lane mark‐
ings is about to leave the lane. Depending on the
country-specific version of the vehicle, the
speed is between 35 mph/55 km/h and
45 mph/70 km/h. When switching on the system
below this speed, a message appears in the in‐
strument cluster.
The steering wheel begins vibrating gently in the
event of warnings. The time of the warning may
vary depending on the current driving situation.
The system does not provide a warning if the
turn signal is set before leaving the lane.
Notes Personal responsibility
The system cannot serve as a substitute
for the driver's personal judgment of the course
of the road and the traffic situation.
In the event of a warning, do not jerk the steering
wheel, as you may lose control of the vehicle.◀
At a glance
Button in the vehicle
Lane departure warning
Camera
The camera is located near the base of the mir‐
ror.
Keep the windshield in the area behind the in‐
terior rear view mirror clean and clear.
Switching on/off Press the button
▷On: the LED lights up.▷Off: the LED goes out.
The state is stored for the remote control cur‐
rently in use.
Seite 114ControlsSafety114
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 903 169 - 07 12 490

Display in the instrument cluster▷Lines: system is activated.▷Arrows: at least one lane marking
was detected and warnings can be
issued.
Display in the instrument display
▷Symbol red: system is activated.▷Symbol green: at least one lane
marking was detected and warnings
can be issued.
Issued warning
If you leave the lane and if a lane marking has
been detected, the steering wheel begins vi‐
brating.
If the turn signal is set before changing the lane,
a warning is not issued.
End of warning
The warning ends:
▷Automatically after approx. 3 seconds.▷When returning to your own lane.▷When braking hard.▷When using the turn signal.
System limits
The system may not be fully functional in the
following situations:
▷In heavy fog, rain or snowfall.▷In the event of worn, poorly visible, merging,
diverging, or multiple lane markings such as
in construction areas.▷When lane markings are covered in snow,
ice, dirt or water.▷In tight curves or on narrow lanes.▷When the lane markings are covered by ob‐
jects.▷When driving very close to the vehicle in
front of you.▷When driving toward bright lights.▷When the windshield behind the interior
rearview mirror is fogged over, dirty or cov‐
ered with stickers, etc.▷During calibration of the camera immedi‐
ately after vehicle shipment.
Active Blind Spot Detection
The concept
Two radar sensors below the rear bumper mon‐
itor the area behind and next to the vehicle at
speeds above approx. 30 mph/50 km/h.
The system indicates whether there are vehicles
in the blind spot, arrow 1, or approaching from
behind on the adjacent lane, arrow 2.
The lamp in the exterior mirror housing lights up
dimly.
Before you change lanes after setting the turn
signal, the system issues a warning in the situa‐
tions described above.
The lamp in the housing of the exterior mirror
flashes and the steering wheel vibrates.
Notes Personal responsibility
The system does not serve as a substitute
for the driver's personal judgment of the traffic
situation.
Be aware of the traffic situation and the vehicle's
surroundings at all times, otherwise an accident
is still possible despite all warnings.◀
Seite 115SafetyControls115
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 903 169 - 07 12 490

At a glance
Radar sensors
The radar sensors are located under the rear
bumper.
Switching on/off
Press the button.
▷On: the LED lights up.▷Off: the LED goes out.
The system can issue warnings at speeds above
approx. 30 mph/50 km/h.
The state is stored for the remote control cur‐
rently in use.
Display
Information stage
The dimmed lamp in the mirror housing indi‐
cates when there are vehicles in the blind spot
or approaching from behind.
Warning
If the turn signal is set while a vehicle is in the
critical zone, the steering wheel vibrates briefly
and the lamp in the mirror housing flashes
brightly.
The warning stops when the turn signal is
switched off, or the other vehicle leaves the crit‐
ical zone.
System limits
The system may not be fully functional in the
following situations:
▷When a vehicle is approaching at a speed
much faster than your own.▷In heavy fog, rain or snowfall.▷In tight curves or on narrow lanes.▷If the bumper is dirty or iced up, or covered
with stickers.
For US owners only
The transmitter and receiver units comply with
part 15 of the FCC/Federal Communication
Commission regulations. Operation is governed
by the following:
FCC ID:
▷NBG009014A.
Compliance statement:
Seite 116ControlsSafety116
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 903 169 - 07 12 490

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC
Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions:▷This device may not cause harmful interfer‐
ence, and▷this device must accept any interference re‐
ceived, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or changes to
these devices could void the user's authority to
operate this equipment.
Brake force display
The concept
▷During normal brake application, the outer
brake lamps light up.▷During heavy brake application, the inner
brake lamps light up in addition.Seite 117SafetyControls117
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 903 169 - 07 12 490

Driving stability control systemsVehicle equipment
All standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment
is also described that is not available in a vehicle,
e. g., because of the selected optional equip‐
ment or country variant. This also applies for
safety-related functions and systems.
Antilock Brake System ABS
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during brak‐
ing.
The vehicle remains steerable even during full
brake applications, thus increasing active
safety.
ABS is operational every time you start the en‐
gine.
Brake assistant
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system
automatically produces the maximum braking
force boost. It thus helps to achieve the shortest
possible braking distance during full braking.
This system utilizes all of the benefits provided
by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal
for the duration of the full braking.
Adaptive brake assistant
In combination with the Active Cruise Control,
this system ensures that the brakes respond
even more rapidly when braking in critical situa‐
tions. Refer also to Collision warning, refer to
page 109.Drive-off assistant
This system supports driving away on gradients.
The parking brake is not required.1.Hold the vehicle in place with the foot brake.2.Release the foot brake and drive away with‐
out delay.
After the foot brake is released, the vehicle is
held in place for approx. 2 seconds.
Depending on the vehicle load, the vehicle may
roll back slightly.
Driving off without delay
After releasing the foot brake, start driving
without delay, since the drive-off assistant will
not hold the vehicle in place for more than ap‐
prox. 2 seconds and the vehicle will begin rolling
back.◀
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control
The concept
DSC prevents traction loss in the driving wheels
when driving away and accelerating.
DSC also recognizes unstable vehicle condi‐
tions, such as fishtailing or nose-diving. Subject
to physical limits, DSC helps to keep the vehicle
on a steady course by reducing engine speed
and by applying brakes at individual wheels.
Adjust your driving style to the situation
An appropriate driving style is always the
responsibility of the driver.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, even
with DSC.
Therefore, do not reduce the additional safety
margin by driving in a risky manner.◀
Seite 118ControlsDriving stability control systems118
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 903 169 - 07 12 490

Indicator/warning lampsThe indicator lamp flashes: DSC con‐
trols the drive forces and brake forces.
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC has
failed.
Deactivating DSC: DSC OFF
When DSC is deactivated, driving stability is re‐
duced during acceleration and when driving in
bends.
Stabilizing interventions by the Integral Active
Steering system are only performed by the rear
axle steering.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again
as soon as possible.
Deactivating DSC Press and hold the button, but not lon‐
ger than approx. 10 seconds, until the
indicator lamp for DSC OFF lights up in the in‐
strument cluster and DSC OFF is displayed.
The DSC system is switched off.
Activating DSC Press the button.
DSC OFF and the DSC OFF indicator
lamp go out.
Indicator/warning lamps
When DSC is deactivated, DSC OFF is dis‐
played in the instrument cluster.
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC is de‐
activated.DTC Dynamic Traction
Control
The concept
The DTC system is a version of the DSC in which
forward momentum is optimized.
The system ensures maximum forward momen‐
tum on special road conditions, e.g., unplowed
snowy roads, but driving stability is limited.
It is therefore necessary to drive with appropri‐
ate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC un‐
der the following special circumstances:▷When driving in slush or on uncleared,
snow-covered roads.▷When rocking the vehicle or driving off in
deep snow or on loose surfaces.▷When driving with snow chains.
Deactivating/activating DTC Dynamic
Traction Control
Activating the Dynamic Traction Control DTC
provides maximum traction on loose ground.
Driving stability is limited during acceleration
and when driving in bends.
Activating DTC Press the button.
TRACTION is displayed in the instru‐
ment cluster and the indicator lamp for DSC
OFF lights up.
Deactivating DTC Press the button again.
TRACTION and the DSC OFF indicator
lamp go out.
Indicator/warning lamps
When DTC is activated, TRACTION is displayed
in the tachometer.
Seite 119Driving stability control systemsControls119
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 903 169 - 07 12 490

The indicator lamp lights up: DTC Dy‐
namic Traction Control is activated.
xDrive
xDrive is the all-wheel-drive system of your ve‐
hicle. Concerted action by the xDrive and DSC
further optimize traction and driving dynamics.
The xDrive all-wheel-drive system variably dis‐
tributes the drive forces to the front and rear
axles as demanded by the driving situation and
road surface.
HDC Hill Descent Control
The concept
HDC is a downhill driving assistant that auto‐
matically controls vehicle speed on steep down‐
hill gradients. Without applying the brakes, the
vehicle moves at slightly more than walking
speed.
Hill Descent Control can be activated at speeds
below approx. 22 mph/35 km/h. When driving
downhill, the vehicle reduces its speed to ap‐
prox. walking speed and then keeps its speed
constant.
As long as there is active braking, the system is
on standby. The system does not brake the ve‐
hicle during this time.
Use HDC in low gears or in transmission position
D or R only.
Increasing or decreasing vehicle speed
Specify desired speed in the range from approx.
4 mph/6 km/h to approx. 15 mph/25 km/h using
the rocker switch of the cruise control on the
steering wheel. Vehicle speed can be changed
by lightly accelerating.▷Press up the rocker switch to the point of
resistance: the speed increases gradually.▷Press up the rocker switch past the point of
resistance: the speed increases while the
rocker switch is pressed.▷Press down the rocker switch to the point of
resistance: the speed decreases gradually.▷Press down the rocker switch past the point
of resistance: when driving forward, the
speed decreases to approx. 6 mph/10 km/h;
when reversing, the speed decreases to ap‐
prox. 4 mph/6 km/h.
Activating HDC
Press the button; the LED above the but‐
ton lights up.
Deactivating HDC Press the button again and the LED goes
out. HDC is automatically deactivated
above approx. 37 mph/60 km/h.
Seite 120ControlsDriving stability control systems120
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 903 169 - 07 12 490