Steering BMW 645CI COUPE 2004 E63 Owner's Guide

Controls
81Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the
marked covers:
1Front airbags for driver and front pas-
senger
2Coupe: head airbags
3Front side airbags
4Knee airbag for front passenger
5Knee airbag for driver
Protective effect
The front airbags help protect the driver
and front passenger by responding to fron-
tal impacts in which safety belts alone can-
not provide adequate restraint. When
needed, the head and side airbags help
provide protection in the event of a side
impact. The side airbags help restrain the
side of the occupant's upper torso, and the
head airbags help support the head while
also helping provide protection against any
objects penetrating into the passenger
compartment.
The airbags are deliberately not triggered
in every impact situation, e.g. less severe
accidents, certain rollover conditions, or
rear-end collisions.
For information on the correct sitting posi-
tion, refer to page 42.
Even if you adhere to all the instructions
injuries resulting from contact with airbags
cannot be fully excluded, depending on the
circumstances. The ignition and inflation
noise may provoke a mild hearing loss in
extremely sensitive individuals. This effect
is usually only temporary.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 reten-
tion system from the vehicle. Never modify
or tamper with either the wiring or the indi-
vidual components in the airbag system.
This category includes the upholstery in the
center of the steering wheel, on the instru-
ment 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 trig-
gered, because there is a danger of burns.
If you note any indication of system mal-
function, if you desire to have an airbag
deactivated, or if the airbag retention sys-
tem is triggered in response to an accident,
you should always entrust all inspection,
repair and dismantling operations to your
BMW center. Unprofessional attempts to
service the system could lead to failure in
an emergency or undesired airbag activa-
tion, either of which could result in personal
injury.<
Airbag warning information is also provided
on the sun visors.

Lamps
86 this switch position with the ignition key in
position 2.<
The automatic headlamp control can-
not serve as a substitute for your per-
sonal judgment in determining when the
lamps should be switched on in response
to ambient lighting conditions. For exam-
ple, the system cannot detect fog. To avoid
safety risks, you should always switch on
the lamps manually under these condi-
tions.<
Adaptive Head Light*
The concept
Adaptive Head Light is a variable headlamp
control system that enables better illumina-
tion of the road surface. Depending on the
steering angle and other assumptions, the
light from the headlamp follows the course
of the road.
Activating Adaptive Head Light
In ignition key position 2, turn the
light switch to the position 'Auto-
matic headlamp control', refer to
page 85.
So that oncoming traffic is not dazzled,
Adaptive Head Light is
>not active when the vehicle is reversing
>only active toward passenger's side
when stopped.
Malfunction
The LED beside the symbol for automatic
headlamp control flashes. The Adaptive
Head Light has a malfunction or has failed.
Have the system checked as soon as pos-
sible.
High beams/roadside
parking lamps
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Roadside parking lamps
Roadside parking lamps, left or right*
You also enjoy the option of lighting up just
one side of your vehicle when parking.
When using this function, comply with
national regulations:
With the ignition switched off, press the
lever in the desired direction 3, past the
resistance point.
Fog lamps
The parking lamps or low beams
must be switched on for the fog
lamps to operate. The green indica-
tor lamp lights up whenever the fog lamps
are on.
The fog lamps are switched off whenever
the high beams are switched on.

Driving tips
103Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
road surface. This phenomenon is referred
to as hydroplaning, and is characterized
by a partial or complete loss of contact
between the tires and the road surface, ulti-
mately undermining your ability to steer
and brake the vehicle.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases as the
tread depth of the tires decreases, also
refer to Tire tread on page 167.
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the
road if it is deeper than 1 ft/30 cm,
and then only at walking speed at the most.
Otherwise, the vehicle's engine, the electri-
cal systems and the transmission may be
damaged.<
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as stan-
dard. The best way to achieve optimized
braking response from the ABS is to apply
maximum pressure to the brake pedal in
situations where this is required: panic
stops. Since the vehicle maintains steering
responsiveness, you can nevertheless
avoid possible obstacles with a minimum
of steering effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combines with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits to indi-
cate to the driver that ABS is in its active
mode.
Do not drive with your foot resting on
the brake pedal. Even light but con-
sistent pedal pressure can lead to high
temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.<
Driving in wet conditions
While driving in wet conditions and in
heavy rain, it is a good idea to apply light
pressure to the brake pedal every few
miles. Monitor traffic conditions to ensure
that this maneuver does not endanger
other road users. The heat generated in this
process helps dry the pads and rotors to
ensure that full braking efficiency will then
be available when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and thus
reduced efficiency of the brake sys-
tem, downshift to a gear in which only min-
imal brake applications are needed when
descending long or steep downhill
stretches. Even light but consistent pedal
pressure can lead to high temperatures,
brake wear and possibly even brake fail-
ure.<
You can further enhance the engine's brak-
ing effect by selecting a lower gear in the
automatic transmission's manual mode,
downshifting as far as first gear on
extremely steep stretches, refer to
page 59. This strategy helps you avoid
placing excessive loads on the brake sys-
tem.
Never drive with the clutch pressed
or allow the vehicle to coast with the
transmission in Neutral – or with the engine
switched off – there is no engine braking
when the transmission is in Neutral, and no
power assist for brakes and steering when
the engine is not running.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
accelerator and brake pedals and obstruct
their movement.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasion-
ally, during extended periods when the
vehicle is not used at all, and in operating
conditions where brake applications are
less frequent, there is an increased ten-
dency for corrosion to form on rotors, while
contaminants accumulate on the brake
pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the
pads during brake applications to clean the
rotors is not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors,
the brakes will tend to respond with a pul-
sating effect that even extended applica-
tion will fail to cure.

Navigation
Driving tips
119Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Entertainment
Mobility
2.Select "Start guidance" and press the
controller.
The destination guidance is switched
off.
When you park the vehicle before reaching
the entered destination, upon restarting
you will see the question "Continue guid-
ance to dest.?".
To restart destination guidance:
Select "Yes" and press the controller.
Destination guidance
through voice instructions
Switching voice instructions on/off
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page 16:
1.Open the start menu
2.Press the controller to open the menu
3.Select "Display settings" and press the
controller
4.Select "Languages" and press the con-
troller
5.Select "Navigation voice instructions
on" and press the controller.
The voice instructions are switched on.Depending on which key you have used to
open the vehicle, the last adjustment is
applied.
Repeating and canceling voice
instructions
With the programmable keys in the steering
wheel, you can also make the following set-
tings, refer to page 49:
>Repeat the voice instruction
>Cancel the voice instruction
>Switching voice instructions on/off.
Adjusting volume
1.Repeat the last voice instruction, if
required
2.Turn the button during the voice
instruction to select the desired vol-
ume.
This volume is independent of the volume
of the audio and video sources.
Depending on which key you have used to
open the vehicle, the last adjustment is
applied.
Displaying route
You have the option of displaying various
views of the route during destination guid-
ance.
Displaying arrow view
1.Select "Navigation" and press the con-
troller
2.Select "Arrow display" and press the
controller.

On/off and tone
126
On/off and tone
The following equipment has shared con-
trols and setting options:
>Radio Business
>CD player
>CD changer
*.
Controls
The audio sources can be operated using:
>Buttons on the CD player
>Control Center
>Buttons on the steering wheel, refer to
page 11.
Buttons on CD player
The layout of the buttons can vary depend-
ing on your vehicle's equipment.
Equipment with single drive:Equipment with two drives:
1Sound output for Entertainment on/off,
volume
>Press: switch on/off.
When you switch on, the last set
radio station or CD track is played
>Turn: adjust volume
2Drive for audio CD
3Eject CD
4Station scan/track scan
>Change radio station
>Select track for CD player and
CD changer
5Drive for navigation DVD
Operation using Control Center
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page 16:
1.Press button.
The start menu is opened

145
Entertainment
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips Communications
Navigation
Mobility
Batteries
Never attempt to dismantle your
BMW portable phone or its battery.
Use only approved battery types – the
wrong battery can destroy your portable
phone.
To avoid possible short circuits, after
removing a battery you should never allow
it to come into contact with metallic sur-
faces of any kind.<
Disposing of used batteries
Return used batteries to a recycling
collection point or to your BMW cen-
ter.<
Care instructions
You can find what you need to know about
caring for your portable phone in the Caring
for your vehicle brochure and in the sepa-
rate portable phone Owner's Manual.
Operating options
You can operate the BMW portable phone*
with:
>The steering wheel, refer to page 11
>The Control Center, refer to page 146
>Voice control, refer to page 151.
Telephoning with car phone:
BMW Assist calls
You can use the car phone via the hands-
free system for BMW Assist calls.
When the status information "Car Phone" is
displayed in "Communication", only BMW
Assist calls are possible.
Activating the
BMW portable phone*
Requirements for portable phones with
SIM card:
>Enter a Personal Identification Number,
PIN, if necessary
>Remove all keypad locks, refer to sepa-
rate Owner's Manual.
Before starting off, place the BMW portable
phone in the cradle. If a connection to
BMW Assist has been established, you
cannot use the BMW portable phone until
this connection has been terminated.
Inserting portable phone
1.Press button 1
2.To adjust the cradle to the portable
phone:
Slide the switch 2 toward the front or
rear if necessary
3.If necessary, remove the protective cap
from the antenna connector on the back
of the portable phone
4.Insert the portable phone with the
antenna completely retracted
5.Press the cradle downwards.
When the status information "Portable" is
displayed in "Communication", you can
operate the BMW portable phone via the
vehicle.
Removing portable phone
Press button 1.
For information on operating your
portable phone, please consult the
separate Owner's Manual.<

Telephoning
146
Hands-free system
Coupe:
Convertible:
The hands-free microphone is located near
the interior rearview mirror or on the steer-
ing column.
The hands-free system is activated when-
ever you establish or receive a call using:
>The button on the steering wheel
>The Control Center
>Voice control.
Volume adjustment
Turn the button during a call to select the
desired volume.This volume for the hands-free system is
maintained, even if the other audio sources
are set to minimum volume.
Depending on which key you have used to
open the vehicle, the last adjustment is
applied.
Operation using Control
Center
The following functions can be used via the
Control Center as soon as the BMW porta-
ble phone has been laid in the cradle:
>Entering unlock code
>Dialing a phone number
>Phone book
>Top 8
>Redialing
>Displaying accepted calls
>Displaying missed calls
>Text messages/SMS.
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page 16:
1.Press button.
The start menu is opened
2.Move the controller forwards to open
"Communication".

151
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To close the text message:
Move the controller forwards to select
and press the controller.
Calling sender
1.Select the desired text message and
press the controller.
The text message is displayed
2.Select "Options" and press the control-
ler
3.Select "Call sender" and press the con-
troller.
The selected sender is called.
Deleting text messages/SMS
1.Select the desired text message and
press the controller.
The text message is displayed
2.Select "Options" and press the control-
ler
3.Select "Delete" and press the control-
ler.
The text message of the portable phone
is deleted.
Operation by voice control*
The concept
You can operate your portable phone with-
out having to remove your hands from the
steering wheel. The system operates on
the basis of voice commands that you learn
easily after using them a few times. In addi-
tion, you are also supported by instructions
or questions.
Symbols usedVoice commands
In ignition key position 2:
1.Briefly press the button on the steer-
ing wheel.
A sound signal indicates operating
readiness
2.Speak voice commands.
To have the system list the voice com-
mands possible in each case:
Canceling operation via voice
control
Briefly press the button on the steering
wheel
or
In dialogs where text of any kind can be
spoken, e.g. a name, canceling is only pos-
sible using the button. Voice control dia-
log is automatically interrupted when an
incoming call is received.
Voice commands
In addition to the commands described in
this Owner's Manual, alternative com-
mands are often possible for the same
functions, e.g.:
Digits from zero to nine are understood.
You can say each digit individually or group
them into a sequence of three to five digits
to speed up the process.
{...} Identifies voice commands.
{{...}} Identifies instructions generated
by the system.
{Help}.
{Cancel}.
{Dial name} or {Name}.

Telephoning
152
An example: dialing a phone number
Start the dialog:
Briefly press the button on the steering
wheel.
Volume adjustment
You can adjust the volume for the instruc-
tions from the system:
Turn the button during an instruction to
select the desired volume.
This volume for the instructions is main-
tained, even if the other audio sources are
set to minimum volume.
Depending on which key you have used to
open the vehicle, the last adjustment is
applied.
First steps
Entering unlock code
You can protect your BMW portable phone
against misuse with a four-digit unlock
code.
Correcting unlock code
After the sequence of digits has been
repeated by the system, the unlock code
can be corrected.
Deleting unlock code
Canceling operation
Calling
Dialing a phone number
Voice commandResponse
{Dial number}{{Please say the number}}
e.g. {123 456 7890}{{123 456 7890. Continue?}}
{Dial}{{Dialing number}}
1.{Input unlock code}.
The dialog for entering the unlock
code is started
2.Speak unlock code
3.{Send unlock code}.
1.{Correct number}.
The block of digits is deleted
2.Speak the new unlock code on
request
3.{Send unlock code}.
{Delete number}.
{Cancel}.
1.{Dial number}.
The dialog for establishing a tele-
phone connection is called up
2.Say the phone number.
For telephone calls abroad, say
{Plus} and then the country code
3.{Dial}.
The connection to the desired sub-
scriber is established.

Wheels and tires
168
Run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the
side of the tire.
Run-flat tires consist of self-contained tires
and special rims. The tire reinforcement
ensures that the tire retains some residual
safety in the event of pressure drop and
driving remains possible to a restricted
degree.
Continuing driving with a damaged
tire
Driving on run-flat tires with tire damage
can continue, depending on the vehicle
load and the severity of the tire damage, at
a maximum speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.
You can estimate the possible mileage for
continued driving on the basis of the fol-
lowing general indications:
>With low load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
Approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With medium load:
2 persons, luggage compartment full, or
4 persons without luggage:
Approx. 94 miles/150 km
>With full load:
4 persons, luggage compartment 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 track sta-
bility in braking, extended braking distance
and altered natural steering characteristics.
If unusual vibrations occur while the vehicle
is being driven, this can indicate final failure of the damaged tire. Reduce speed and
stop as soon as possible. Do not continue
driving. Contact your BMW center.<
New wheels and tires
You can find out the right wheel-tire combi-
nation from your BMW center. It is another
vital factor in ensuring reliable operation of
various vehicle systems such as ABS and
DSC. Have the wheel and tire assemblies
balanced every time either a wheel or a tire
is replaced.
Only have new wheels and tires
mounted by a specialist. If this work is
performed inexpertly, there is a danger of
damage and associated safety risks.<
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend the use of
retread tires, as otherwise driving
safety may be reduced. Possible variations
in the design and the age – which could be
substantial – of the carcasses can lead to
unusually rapid wear.<
The right wheels and tires
BMW recommends that you use only
wheel and tire combinations that
BMW has tested and approved for your
particular vehicle. Variations in factors such
as manufacturing tolerances mean that
even wheels and tires with identical official
size ratings could actually have different
dimensions than the approved units – these
differences could lead to body contact, and
with it the risk of severe accidents. If non-
approved wheels and tires are used, BMW
cannot evaluate their suitability, and there-
fore cannot be held liable for driving
safety.<
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread
configuration from a single manufacturer.
After a flat tire, always remember to have
the specified wheel and tire combination
remounted on the vehicle as soon as pos-
sible.