wheel BMW 650I COUPE 2008 E63 Owner's Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: BMW, Model Year: 2008, Model line: 650I COUPE, Model: BMW 650I COUPE 2008 E63Pages: 264, PDF Size: 9.07 MB
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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.
FTM Flat Tire Monitor*
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor detects a pressure loss in 
one tire by comparing the speeds of the individ-
ual wheels during driving.
In the event of a pressure loss, there is a change 
in the rolling circumference and therefore the 
rotation speed of the corresponding wheel. The 
system detects this change and reports it as a 
flat tire.
Functional requirement
To ensure the reliable signaling of a flat tire, the 
system must be initialized at the correct tire 
inflation pressure.
The initialization must be repeated after 
every correction of the tire inflation pres-
sure and after every tire or wheel change.<
System limits
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot indicate sudden 
severe tire damage caused by outside factors 
and does not detect a natural, even pressure 
drop in all four tires.In the following situations, the system could be 
delayed or malfunction:
>System has not been initialized
>Driving on snow-covered or slippery roads
>Sporty driving style: slip in the drive wheels, 
high lateral acceleration
>Driving with snow chains
*
Initializing system
The initialization finishes during driving, 
which can be interrupted at any time. 
When driving resumes, the initialization is auto-
matically continued. 
Do not initialize the system when driving with 
snow chains
*.<
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the   button. 
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Turn the controller until "Settings" is 
selected and press the controller.
4.Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-
troller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "FTM" is selected and press 
the controller. 
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Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
90 6.Start the engine, but do not start driving.
7.Select "Reset" and press the controller.
8.Select "Yes" and press the controller.
9.Start to drive.
The message "resetting FTM …" is dis-
played. 
The initialization is completed during driving.
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamp lights up in red. A 
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. In addition, an acoustic signal 
sounds. There is a flat tire or extensive inflation 
pressure loss.
1.Cautiously reduce the vehicle speed to 
below 50 mph/80 km/h. Avoid severe brak-
ing and steering maneuvers and do not 
exceed a speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.
Stop driving if the vehicle is no longer 
equipped with run-flat tires, as it was 
when it came from the factory, refer to 
page214. Continued driving after a flat tire 
can result in serious accidents.<
2.Check the air pressure in all four tires at the 
next opportunity.
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 run-flat 
tires, based on the following guide values:
>With low load: 
1 to 2 persons without luggage: 
approx. 155 miles/250 km.>With medium load: 
2 persons, cargo bay 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 tracking 
stability in braking, extended braking dis-
tances and altered natural steering charac-
teristics.
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 loca-
tion as soon as possible; otherwise, pieces 
of the tire could become detached and 
cause an accident. Do not continue 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, oth-
erwise 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.< 
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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, 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.
One wheel is yellow
Flat tire or a major drop in inflation pressure in 
the indicated tire. A message appears on the 
Control Display.
All wheels are yellow
Flat tire or a major drop in inflation pressure in 
several tires. A message appears on the Control 
Display.
Gray
The system cannot detect a flat tire.
Reasons for this can be:
>TPM is being reset
>Temporary interference due to systems or 
devices which use the same radio fre-
quency
>Malfunction
Resetting system
Reset the system again after each correc-
tion of the tire inflation pressure and after 
every tire or wheel change.<
Resetting finishes during driving, which can be 
interrupted at any time. When driving resumes, 
resetting is continued automatically.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the   button. 
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-
troller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "TPM" is selected and press 
the controller.
6.Start the engine, but do not start driving.
7.Select "Reset" and press the controller.
8.Select "Yes" and press the controller.
9.Start to drive.
The tires are shown in gray and "Resetting 
TPM..." is displayed.
After a few minutes of driving, the set tire infla-
tion pressures in the tires are applied as the set 
values to be monitored. Resetting finishes dur- 
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Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
92 ing driving. The tires are shown in green on the 
Control Display.
If a flat tire is detected during resetting 
and applying the tire inflation pressures, 
all tires are shown in yellow on the Control Dis-
play. The message "Tire low!" is displayed.<
Message with low tire inflation 
pressure
The warning lamp lights up yellow. A 
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. In addition, an acoustic signal 
sounds. There is a flat tire or extensive inflation 
pressure loss.
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.
Stop driving if the vehicle is no longer 
equipped with run-flat tires, as it was 
when it came from the factory, refer to 
page214. Continued driving after a flat tire 
can result in serious 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 low load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With medium load:
2 persons, cargo bay full, or 
4 persons without luggage:
approx. 95 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 tracking stability in braking, 
extended braking distances 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 lamp 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.
Declaration according to NHTSA/
FMVSS 138 Tire Pressure Monitoring 
Systems
Each tire should be checked monthly when cold 
and inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the 
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. If 
your vehicle has tires of a different size than the 
size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire infla-
tion pressure label, you should determine the 
proper tire inflation pressure for those tires. As 
an added safety feature, your vehicle has been 
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring sys-
tem, TPMS, that illuminates a low tire pressure 
indicator when one or more of your tires are sig-
nificantly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the 
low tire pressure indicator illuminates, you 
should stop and check your tires as soon as 
possible, and inflate them to the proper pres-
sure. Driving on a significantly under-inflated 
tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to 
tire failure. Underinflation also reduces fuel effi-
ciency and tire tread life, and may affect the 
vehicle's handling and stopping ability. Please 
note that the TPMS is not a substitute for  
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proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver's 
responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, 
even if underinflation has not reached the level 
to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire 
pressure indicator.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined 
with the low tire pressure indicator. When the 
system detects a malfunction, the indicator will 
flash for approximately one minute and then 
remain continuously illuminated. This 
sequence will continue upon subsequent vehi-
cle startups as long as the malfunction exists. 
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, 
the system may not be able to detect or signal 
low tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunc-
tions may occur for a variety of reasons, includ-
ing the installation of replacement or alternate 
tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the 
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check 
the TPMS malfunction indicator 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 func-
tion 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 page87.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up yellow and 
a message is shown on the Control 
Display. The active steering is no 
longer operational. At low speed, larger steering 
wheel movements are required, while the vehi-
cle reacts more sensitively to steering wheel 
movements in the higher road speed range. 
The stability-promoting intervention can also 
be deactivated. Proceed cautiously and drive 
defensively. Have the system checked.
Brake force display
>On the left: normal braking.
>On the right: heavy braking. 
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Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
94
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the 
marked covers:
1Front airbags
2Coupe: Head airbags
3Side airbags
4Knee airbag
5Knee airbag
Protective action
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection, 
please follow the adjustment instructions on 
page47.<
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 a side impact. The relevant side air-
bag supports the side upper body area. The 
head airbag supports the head. The knee airbag 
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 carried out only by a BMW cen-
ter or a workshop that works according to BMW 
repair procedures with appropriately 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 
airbags, i.e. deactivated or activated, is 
indicated by the indicator lamp over the interior 
rearview mirror, refer to Operating state of front 
passenger airbags below.<
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 page56. 
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Switching on/off
Press the button.
1Navigation instructions
2Display
>Cruise control
>Active cruise control
>Leaving lane warning
3Speed
Selecting displays
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.4.Select "Display settings" and press the 
controller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Head-Up Display" is 
selected and press the controller.
6.Change into the second field from the top. 
Turn the controller until "Head-Up Display" 
is selected and press the controller.
7.Select desired information of Head-Up Dis-
play.
8.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 operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the   button. 
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Display settings" and press the 
controller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Head-Up Display" is 
selected and press the controller. 
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Any improvement in detection depends on 
many factors such as the object size and tem-
perature compared to the surroundings, or 
other nearby objects, the visual recognition 
skills of the driver, weather conditions, and 
other factors.
Driving hints
With the system active, periodically but briefly, 
glance at the thermal image on the Control Dis-
play to notice objects that could be people or 
larger animals. The glance should be similar to 
glancing at the rear view mirror. Do not stare at 
the image for long periods while driving, as this 
will remove attention from the road. If you notice 
an object of interest ahead, be prepared to slow 
down or stop, blow the horn, or take other 
appropriate action.
System limits
The system is designed to supplement but not 
replace forward vision through the windshield. 
The driver is responsible for safe driving at 
night. BMW Night Vision is not designed to be 
used as a continuous viewing window for driv-
ing at night.
No system, no matter how sophisticated, can 
operate without limitations. BMW Night Vision 
operation is subject to physical and environ-
mental limitations that will reduce the ability of 
the system to detect and display a clear thermal 
image. Some of the situations in which these 
limitations can occur are:
>on steep hilltops or depressions and in tight 
curves
>in tunnels, as the contrast is inherently low
>when the camera lens is dirty>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 page102.
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 page55.
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. 
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Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
100 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.
3.Select the menu item and press the control-
ler:
>"Night Vision off": 
Deactivate BMW Night Vision.>"Zoom": 
At higher speeds, the image is zoomed 
in.
>"Curve mode": 
Depending on the steering angle and 
other parameters, the image sections 
follow the course of the road to some 
degree.
>"Full screen": 
The image is shown on the entire Con-
trol Display.
>"Contrast": 
The contrast of the screen can be 
adjusted.
>"Brightness": 
The brightness of the screen can be 
adjusted.
"Curve mode" can only be activated with 
the "Zoom" function switched on. With 
"Full screen" activated, "Curve mode" and 
"Zoom" cannot be selected.<
The settings are stored for the remote control 
currently in use.
To exit the menu: 
The image will automatically disappear after 
approx. 5 seconds.Cleaning camera
The function of the camera may be affected by 
heavy rain and fog, dirt, snow or ice on the lens. 
When this occurs, the displayed image on the 
Control Display may become gray.
To minimize icing, the camera lens is automati-
cally heated. However, it may be necessary to 
clean the camera lens manually under severe 
weather conditions. When doing so, cautiously 
remove any debris, ice or snow. To avoid dam- 
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age to the lens, do not use sharp or abrasive 
instruments to clean ice, snow, or dirt off the 
lens.
When the windshield is cleaned with the head-
lamps on, the camera lens area is automatically 
sprayed as well. Refer to page64.
Leaving lane warning*
The concept
This system warns you from a speed of approx. 
40 mph/70 km/h when the vehicle is leaving the 
lane you are currently in on roads with lane limit 
lines. You feel this due to a slight vibration of the 
steering wheel. 
The system does not warn you if you signal 
before leaving the lane. 
It is best to use the system on well-developed 
roads and freeways.
Switching on/off
Press the button on the steering wheel.
>The two lines1 indicate that the system is 
activated.
>The two arrows2 mean that the system has 
detected one or two lane limit lines from a 
speed of approx. 40 mph/70 km/h and 
warns accordingly.
If you activate the system below a speed of 
approx. 40 mph/70 km/h, a message will appear 
stating that the system is not active until this 
speed is reached.
A warning will be canceled:
>after approx. 3 seconds
>if you return to your lane>if you brake heavily
>if you signal
System limits
The leaving lane warning cannot serve as 
a substitute for your personal judgment in 
determining the course of the road. 
If the system issues a warning, do not move the 
steering wheel with unnecessary severity, as 
otherwise you could loose control of the vehi-
cle.<
The function of the system may be limited in the 
following example situations:
>in heavy fog, rain or snowfall
>with worn-away, poorly visible limit lines, or 
lines that run together or apart or are 
unclear, e.g. in road construction areas
>when limit lines are covered by snow, ice, 
dirt or a great deal of water
>in tight curves or on narrow roads
>when limit lines are not white
>when limit lines are covered by objects
>when driving up close behind a vehicle driv-
ing ahead
>with bright counter light
>when the windshield is fogged up, dirty or 
covered with stickers, vignettes etc. in the 
area of the inside rearview mirror