tow BMW 7 SERIES 2011 Owner's Manual

In case of tire damage
If there are indications of tire damage, re‐
duce your speed immediately and have the
wheels
and tires checked right away; otherwise,
there is the increased risk of an accident.
Drive carefully to the next service center or tire
shop.
If necessary, have the vehicle towed.◀
Repair of tire damage
For safety reasons, the manufacturer of
your vehicle recommends that you do not have
damaged tires repaired; they should be re‐
placed. Otherwise, damage can occur as a re‐
sult.◀
Changing wheels and tires
Mounting
Information on mounting tires
Have mounting and balancing performed
only by a service center or tire specialist.
If this work is not carried out properly, there is
the danger of subsequent damage and related
safety hazards.◀
Wheel and tire combination
Information on the correct wheel-tire combina‐
tion and rim versions for your vehicle can be ob‐
tained from your service center.
Incorrect wheel and tire combinations impair the
function of a variety of systems such as ABS or
DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle re‐
sponse, use only tires with a single tread con‐
figuration from a single manufacturer.
Following tire damage, have the original wheel
and tire combination remounted on the vehicle
as soon as possible. Approved wheels and tires
The manufacturer of your vehicle recom‐
mends that you use only wheels and tires that
have been approved for your particular vehicle
model.
For example, despite having the same official
size
ratings, variations can lead to body contact
and with it, the risk of severe accidents.
The manufacturer of your vehicle cannot evalu‐
ate non-approved wheels and tires to determine
if they are suited for use, and therefore cannot
ensure the operating safety of the vehicle if they
are mounted.◀
Recommended tire brands For each tire size, the manufacturer of your ve‐
hicle recommends certain tire brands. These
can be identified by a star on the tire sidewall.
With proper use, these tires meet the highest
standards for safety and handling.
New tires
Due to technical factors associated with their
manufacture,

tires do not achieve their full trac‐
tion potential until after an initial breaking-in pe‐
riod.
Drive conservatively for the first 200 miles/
300 km.
Retreaded tires
The manufacturer of your vehicle does not rec‐
ommend the use of retreaded tires. Seite 250
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Wheels and tires

Replacing components
Tool kit
The tool kit is located in a fold-down cover in the
trunk lid.
Unscrew the wing nut to open.
Wiper blade replacement
Do
not fold down the wipers without wiper
blades
Do not fold down the wipers if wiper blades have
not been installed; this may damage the wind‐
shield.◀
Replacing the wiper blades
1. To change the wiper blades, fold up, refer to
page 72, the wiper arms.
2. Fold up the wipers. 3.
Position the wiper blade in a horizontal po‐
sition.
4. Remove the wiper blade toward one side. Lamp and bulb replacement
General information
Lamps

and bulbs make an essential contribution
to vehicle safety.
The manufacturer of your vehicle recommends
that you entrust corresponding procedures to
your service center if you are unfamiliar with
them or they are not described here.
You can obtain a selection of replacement bulbs
at your service center.
Danger of burns
Only change bulbs when they are cool;
otherwise, there is the danger of getting
burned.◀
Working on the lighting system
When working on the lighting system, you
should always switch off the lights affected to
prevent short circuits.
To avoid possible injury or equipment damage
when replacing bulbs, observe any instructions
provided by the bulb manufacturer.◀ Seite 260
260 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 497 - 03 11 490Replacing components

1.
Snap out the grill at the recess, arrow. 2.
Remove the screw using a screw driver. 3.
Pull the lamp out toward the front.
4. Remove the bulb and replace it.
5. Insert the new bulb and attach the cover in
the reverse order.
Tail lamps, bulb replacement
At a glance 1
Turn signal
2 Backup lamp
3 Inside brake lamp*
4 Tail lamp
5 Outside brake lamp
6 Rear reflector* Turn signal, brake, tail, and license
plate lamps
Follow the general instructions on lamps and
bulbs., refer to page
260
These lights are made using LED technology.
Contact your service center in the event of a
malfunction.
Lamps in the trunk lid
Follow the general instructions on lamps and
bulbs., refer to page 260
Access to the lamps
1. Remove the three screws using the screw
driver from the tool kit. 2.
Fold away the cover. 3.
Replace the defective bulb. Seite 263
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Reference
Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Starting aid terminals
Connecting order
Connect the jumper cables in the correct
order; otherwise, there is the danger of injury
from sparking.◀ The so-called starting aid terminal in the engine
compartment acts as the battery's positive ter‐
minal.
The body ground or a special nut acts as the
negative terminal.
Connecting the cables
1.
Pull off the cap of the BMW starting aid ter‐
minal.
2. Attach one terminal clamp of the positive
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the
battery,
or to the corresponding starting aid
terminal of the vehicle providing assistance.
3. Attach the other end of the cable to the pos‐
itive terminal of the battery, or to the corre‐
sponding

starting aid terminal of the vehicle
to be started.
4. Attach one terminal clamp of the negative
jumper

cable to the negative terminal of the
battery, or to the corresponding engine or body ground of the vehicle providing assis‐
tance.
5. Attach the other end of the cable to the neg‐
ative

terminal of the battery, or to the corre‐
sponding engine or body ground of the ve‐
hicle to be started.
Starting the engine
Never use spray fluids to start the engine.
1. Start the engine of the assisting vehicle and
let

it run for several minutes at an increased
idle speed.
If the vehicle being started has a diesel en‐
gine: let the engine of the assisting vehicle
run for approx. 10 minutes.
2. Start the engine of the vehicle being started
in the usual way.
If

the first starting attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before making another
attempt in order to allow the discharged bat‐
tery to recharge.
3. Let both engines run for several minutes.
4. Disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse
order.
Check the battery and recharge if necessary.
Tow-starting and towing
Transporting your vehicle
Note
Your vehicle is not permitted to be towed.
Therefore,

contact a service center in the event
of a breakdown.
Do not have the vehicle towed
Have your vehicle transported on a loading
platform only; otherwise, damage may occur.◀ Seite 268
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Breakdown assistance

Tow truck
Do not lift the vehicle
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting or
body
and chassis parts; otherwise, damage may
result.◀
Tow-starting
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
Due to the automatic transmission, the engine
cannot be started by tow-starting.
Have the cause of the starting difficulties rem‐
edied.
Towing other vehicles
General information
Light towing vehicle
Your vehicle must not be lighter than the
vehicle being towed; otherwise, it will not be
possible to control vehicle response.◀
Attaching the tow bar/tow rope correctly
Attach the tow bar or tow rope to the tow
fitting; connecting it to other vehicle parts may
cause damage.◀
▷ Switch on the hazard warning system, de‐
pending on local regulations.
▷ If the electrical system has failed, clearly
identify the vehicle being towed by placing
a sign or a warning triangle in the rear win‐
dow. Towing methods when towing other
vehicles
Tow bar
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles.
Should it prove impossible to avoid mounting
the tow bar at an offset angle, please observe
the following:
▷
Maneuvering capability is limited during cor‐
nering.
▷ The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it
is secured with an offset.
Tow rope
When
starting to tow the vehicle, make sure that
the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated stresses on
the vehicle components when towing, always
use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attaching the tow rope correctly
Only secure the tow rope on the tow fit‐
ting; otherwise, damage can occur when it is se‐
cured on other parts of the vehicle.◀
Tow fitting The screw-in tow fitting should always be car‐
ried in the vehicle. It can be screwed in at the
front

or rear of the BMW. It is located in the con‐
tainer on the inside of the trunk lid.
Tow fitting, information on use
▷Use only the tow fitting provided with
the vehicle and screw it all the way in. Seite 269
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Reference
Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

▷
Use the tow fitting for towing on paved roads
only.
▷ Use the tow fitting screwed in at the front for
maneuvering the vehicle only.
▷ Avoid lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g.,
do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting.
Otherwise, damage to the tow fitting and the ve‐
hicle can occur.◀
Screw thread Push out the cover by pressing on the arrow
symbol.
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Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS, Antilock Brake Sys‐
tem 98
ACC, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go 105
Activated-charcoal filter 128
Active Blind Spot Detec‐ tion 95
Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, ACC 105
Active seat, front 50
Active seat ventilation, front 51
Active seat ventilation, rear 53
Active Steering, integral 101
Adaptive brake assistant 98
Adaptive brake lights, refer to Brake force display 97
Adaptive drive 100
Adaptive light control 85
Adaptive
light control, bulb re‐
placement 261
Additional telephone 212
Additives, oil 256
Adjustments, seats/head re‐ straints 48
Airbags 88
Airbags, indicator/warning light 89
Air circulation, refer to Recir‐ culated-air mode 126
Air distribution, manual 125
Air drying, refer to Cooling function 127
Air pressure, tires 244
Air vents, refer to Ventila‐ tion 128
Air volume, automatic climate control 126
Alarm system 43
Alarm, unintentional 44 All around the center con‐
sole 17
All around the headliner 18
All around the steering wheel 12
ALL program, automatic cli‐ mate control 127
All-season tires, refer to Win‐ ter tires 251
All-wheel-drive 99
Alternating-code hand-held transmitter 133
Alternative oil types 256
AM/FM station 172
Announcement, navigation, refer to Spoken instruc‐
tions 161
Antifreeze, washer fluid 72
Antilock Brake System, ABS 98
Anti-slip control, refer to DSC 98
Appointments 228
Approved engine oils 256
Apps 238
Armrest, refer to Center arm‐ rest 139
Arrival time 79
Ashtray 134
Assist 234
Assistance, Roadside Assis‐ tance 267
Assistance when driving off 98
Audio playback 179
Audio playback, Blue‐ tooth 194
Audio remote control 198
AUTO intensity 126
Automatic car wash 271
Automatic climate con‐ trol 125 Automatic Cruise Control with
Stop & Go 105
Automatic Curb Monitor 59
Automatic deactivation, front passenger airbags 89
Automatic headlamp con‐ trol 85
Automatic Hold 68
Automatic locking 39
Automatic recirculated-air control 126
Automatic Soft Closing, doors 39
Automatic Soft Closing, trunk lid 40
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 72
Automatic trunk lid 40
AUTO program, automatic cli‐ mate control 126
AUTO program, intensity 126
AUX-IN port 190
Average fuel consumption 78
Average speed 78
Axle loads, weights 278
B
Backrest curvature, refer to Lumbar support 49
Backrest, seats 48
Backrest, width 49
Back seats, adjusting 51
Backup camera 116
Backup lamps, bulb replace‐ ment 263
Balance 170
Band-Aids, refer to First aid kit 267
Bar for tow-starting/tow‐ ing 269
Basic position, rear seats 52
Bass 170
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Everything from A to Z

Engine start, refer to Starting
the engine 65
Engine start, Starting aid 267
Engine stop 66
Engine temperature 76
Entering/exiting
vehicle, assis‐
tance, steering wheel 60
Equalizer 170
Equipment, interior 132
ESP Electronic Stability Pro‐ gram, refer to DSC 98
Exchanging wheels/tires 250
Exhaust system 144
Exterior mirror, automatic dim‐ ming feature, dimmable exte‐
rior mirrors 59
Exterior mirrors 58
External devices 190
External start 267
External temperature dis‐ play 76
External temperature warn‐ ing 76
Eyes for securing cargo 147
F
Fader 170
Failure message, refer to Check Control 82
False alarm, refer to Uninten‐ tional alarm 44
Fan, refer to Air volume 126
Fault displays, refer to Check Control 82
Filler neck for engine oil 255
Fine wood, care 273
First aid kit 267
Fitting for towing, refer to Tow fitting 269
Flat tire, Tire Pressure Monitor TPM 91
Flat tire, warning lamp 92
Flat tire, wheel change 264
Flooding 145
Floor carpet, care 273
Floor mats, care 273
FM/AM station 172 Folding table in the rear
136
Fold-out position, windshield wipers 72
Foot brake 145
Front airbags 88
Front fog lamps 87
Front
fog lamps, front, bulb re‐
placement 262
Front lamps 261
Front passenger airbags, au‐ tomatic deactivation 89
Front passenger airbags, indi‐ cator lamp 90
Front passenger seat, adjust‐ ing 50
Front seats, adjusting 48
Fuel cap 242
Fuel consumption, current 76
Fuel consumption, refer to Average fuel consump‐
tion 78
Fuel filler flap 242
Fuel gauge 75
Fuel quality 243
Fuel, tank capacity 279
Fuse 265
G
Garage door opener, refer to Integrated universal remote
control 132
Gas station recommenda‐ tion 161
Gear change, automatic trans‐ mission 73
General driving notes 144
Gentleman function 50
Glass sunroof, powered 46
Glove compartment 138
GPS navigation, refer to Navi‐ gation system 152
Gross vehicle weight, ap‐ proved 278
Gross weight, permissible for trailer towing 278 H
Hand brake, refer to Parking
brake 66
Hand-held transmitter, alter‐ nating code 133
Hazard warning flashers 266
HDC Hill Descent Control 99
HD Radio 173
Head airbags 88
Headlamp control, auto‐ matic 85
Headlamp courtesy delay fea‐ ture 84
Headlamp courtesy delay fea‐ ture via remote control 37
Headlamp flasher 70
Headlamp glass 261
Headlamps 261
Headlamps, care 272
Headlamp washer system 70
Headliner 18
Headphones, rear entertain‐ ment 202, 207
Head restraints 48
Head restraints, front 54
Head restraints, rear 55
Head-up Display 123
Head-up Display, care 273
Heavy cargo, stowing 147
Height, seats 48
Height
with roof-mounted aer‐
ial, vehicle 276
High-beam Assistant 86
High beams 70
High beams/low beams, refer to High-beam Assistant 86
Hill Descent Control HDC 99
Hills 146
Hill start assistant, refer to Drive-off assistant 98
Hints 6
Holder for beverages 140
Homepage 6
Hood 253
Horn 12
Hotel function, trunk lid 41
Hot exhaust system 144
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Maintenance System,
BMW 258
Malfunction displays, refer to Check Control 82
Malfunction, self-leveling sus‐ pension 102
Manual air distribution 125
Manual air volume 126
Manual brake, refer to Parking brake 66
Manual mode, transmis‐ sion 74
Manual operation, backup camera 116
Manual operation, door lock 38
Manual
operation, exterior mir‐
rors 59
Manual operation, fuel filler flap 242
Manual operation, Park Dis‐ tance Control PDC 114
Manual operation, parking brake 67
Manual operation, Side View 118
Manual operation, Top View 119
Manual operation, trunk lid 40
Map, destination entry 156
Map in split screen 163
Map view 161
Marking on approved tires 250
Marking, run-flat tires 251
Massage seat, front 50
Massage seat, rear 52
Master key, refer to Remote control 32
Maximum cooling 126
Maximum speed, winter tires 251
Measure, units of 81
Medical kit 267
Memory for seat, mirrors, steering wheel 57
Menu in instrument cluster 77
Menus, operating, iDrive 19 Menus, refer to iDrive operat‐
ing concept 20
Message list, traffic bulle‐ tins 163
Messages 226
Messages, refer to Check Control 82
Microfilter 128
Minimum tread, tires 249
Mirror 58
Mirror memory 57
Mobile communication devi‐ ces in the vehicle 145
Mobile phone 212
Modifications, technical, refer to Safety 7
Moisture in headlamp 261
Monitor, refer to Control Dis‐ play 19
Mounting of child restraint fix‐ ing systems 61
MP3 player 190
Multifunction steering wheel, buttons 12
Multimedia 179
Music collection 186
Music search 187
Music, storing 186
N
Navigation 152
Navigation data 166
Neck restraints, front, refer to Head restraints 54
Neck restraints, rear, refer to Head restraints 55
New wheels and tires 250
Night Vision with pedestrian detection 120
NORMAL program, Dynamic Driving Control 103
Notes 229
Nylon rope for tow-starting/ towing 269 O
OBD Onboard Diagnos‐
tics 258
Obstacle marking, backup camera 117
Odometer 77
Office 223
Oil 255
Oil, adding 255
Oil additives 256
Oil
change interval, service re‐
quirements 81
Oil filler neck 255
Oil level check 255
Oil types, alternative 256
Oil types, approved 256
Old batteries, disposal 265
Onboard Diagnostics OBD 258
Onboard monitor, refer to Control Display 19
Online, refer to BMW On‐ line 236
Opening/closing from in‐ side 39
Opening/closing via door lock 38
Opening/closing with remote control 36
Operating concept, iDrive 19
Outside air, refer to Automatic recirculated-air control 126
Overheating of engine, refer to Coolant temperature 76
P
Paint, vehicle 272
Panic mode 36
Park Distance Control PDC 113
Parked-car ventilation 130
Parked vehicle, condensa‐ tion 146
Parking aid, refer to PDC 113
Parking brake 66
Parking lamps 84
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Parking lamps, bulb replace‐
ment 262
Parking with Auto Hold 68
Passenger side mirror, tilting downward 59
Pathway lines, backup cam‐ era 116
PDC Park Distance Con‐ trol 113
Pedestrian detection, refer to Night Vision 120
People detection, refer to Night Vision 120
Permissible axle load 278
Personal information 223
Personal Profile 33
Phone 212
Pinch
protection system, glass
sunroof 47
Pinch protection system, win‐ dows 45
Plastic, care 273
PlugIn 239
Position, storing 154
Postal code, entering in navi‐ gation 152
Power failure 265
Power sunroof, glass 46
Power windows 44
Pressure, tire air pres‐ sure 244
Profile, refer to Personal Pro‐ file 33
Programmable memory but‐ tons, iDrive 23
Protective function, glass sun‐ roof 47
Protective function, win‐ dows 45
Push-and-turn switch, refer to Controller 19
R
Radiator fluid 256
Radio 172
Radio-operated key, refer to Remote control 32 Radio ready state
65
Rain sensor 71
Random 180
Random playback 180
RDS 173
Reading out loud 230
Rear automatic climate con‐ trol 129
Rear axle steering 101
Rear cooler 135
Rear entertainment 199, 204
Rear lamps 263
Rear seats, adjusting 51
Rear seats, basic position 52
Rear sockets 135
Rear source, selecting for rear entertainment 201, 206
Rearview mirror 58
Rear window defroster 127
Recirculated-air mode 126
Recommended tire brands 250
Refueling 242
Remaining range 75
Reminders 229
Remote control/key 32
Remote control, audio 198
Remote control, malfunc‐ tion 37
Remote control, rear enter‐ tainment 200
Remote
control, universal 132
Replacement fuse 265
Replacing parts 260
Replacing wheels/tires 250
Reporting safety defects 8
RES button 107
Reserve warning, refer to Range 75
Resetting, Tire Pressure Mon‐ itor TPM 92
Residual heat, automatic cli‐ mate control 127
Retaining straps, securing cargo 147
Retreaded tires 250
Roadside Assistance 235
Roadside parking lamps 85 Roller sunblinds 45
Roll stabilization, refer to
Adaptive Drive 100
Roll stabilization, refer to Dy‐ namic Drive 100
Roof load capacity 278
Roof-mounted luggage rack 148
Rope for tow-starting/tow‐ ing 269
Route 160
Route criteria, route 159
Route, displaying 160
Routes, avoiding 160
Route
section, bypassing 161
RSC Runflat System Compo‐ nent, refer to Run-flat
tires 251
Rubber components, care 272
Run-flat tires 251
S
Safe braking 145
Safety 7
Safety belt reminder 54
Safety belts 53
Safety belts, care 273
Safety switch, windows 45
Safety systems, airbags 88
Satellite radio 174
Saving fuel 148
Scale, changing during navi‐ gation 162
Screen, refer to Control Dis‐ play 19
Screwdriver 260
Screw thread for tow fit‐ ting 270
Seat belts, refer to Safety belts 53
Seat heating, front 50
Seat heating, rear 53
Seating position for chil‐ dren 61
Seat, mirror, and steering wheel memory 57
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Everything from A to Z