service BMW 7 SERIES 2012 Repair Manual

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

Inside brake lamp*
21-watt bulb, H21W.
Pull out the bulb and replace it.
Backup lamp
16-watt bulb, W16W.
Pull out the bulb and replace it.
Changing wheels
Notes
The
vehicle equipment does not include a spare
tire.
When using run-flat tires* or tire sealants, a tire
does not need to be changed immediately in the
event of pressure loss due to a flat tire.
The tools for changing wheels are available as
accessories from your service center. Jacking points for the vehicle jack The jacking points for the vehicle jack are lo‐
cated in the positions shown.
Lug bolt lock*
The lug bolt lock is in the tool kit or in a storage
compartment close to the tool kit.
▷
Lug bolt, arrow 1.
▷ Adapter, arrow 2.
Removing
1. Attach the adapter to the wheel lug.
2. Unscrew the lug bolt.
Remove the adapter after screwing the lug bolt
back on.
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Replacing components

Vehicle battery
Maintenance
The battery is maintenance-free, i.e., the elec‐
trolyte will last for the life of the battery.
Your
service center will be glad to advise you on
questions regarding the battery.
Battery replacement
Use approved vehicle batteries only.
Only use vehicle batteries that have been
approved for your vehicle by the manufacturer;
otherwise, the vehicle could be damaged and
systems or functions may not be fully availa‐
ble.◀
After a battery replacement, have the battery
registered on the vehicle by your service center
to ensure that all comfort functions are fully
available.
Charging the battery
In the vehicle, only charge the battery via the
terminals, refer to page 268, in the engine com‐
partment with the engine off.
Power failure
After a temporary power loss, some equipment
needs to be reinitialized.
Individual settings need to be reprogrammed:
▷ Seat, mirror, and steering wheel memory:
store the positions again.
▷ Time: update.
▷ Date: update.
▷ Radio station: save again.
▷ Navigation system: wait for the operability of
the navigation.
Disposing of old batteries Have old batteries disposed of by your
service center or bring them to a recy‐
cling center.
Maintain the battery in an upright position for
transport and storage. Secure the battery so
that it does not tip over during transport. Fuses
Notes
Replacing fuses
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse and
do
not replace a defective fuse with a substitute
of another color or amperage rating; this could
lead to a circuit overload, ultimately resulting in
a fire in the vehicle.◀
Plastic tweezers and information on the fuse
types and locations are stored in the fuse box in
the cargo area.
In the glove compartment Push the handle up, arrow 1, and open the lid,
arrow 2.
In the cargo area
Open the cover on the right side trim.
Information on the fuse types and locations is
found on a separate sheet. Seite 265
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Reference
Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Breakdown assistance
Hazard warning flashers
The button is located in the center console.
Emergency Request
*
Requirements
▷ Equipment version with full preparation
package mobile phone.
An Emergency Request can be made, even
if no mobile phones are paired with the ve‐
hicle.
▷ BMW Assist is activated.
▷ The radio ready state is switched on.
▷ The BMW Assist system is logged in to a
wireless communications network sup‐
ported by BMW Assist.
▷ The Assist system is functional.
Only press the SOS button in an emergency.
Emergency Request not guaranteed
For

technical reasons, the Emergency Re‐
quest cannot be guaranteed under unfavorable
conditions.◀
Service contract
▷ After your contract with BMW Assist has ex‐
pired,

the BMW Assist system can be deac‐
tivated by the service center without you
having to visit a workshop.
After deactivation, an Emergency Request
is no longer possible. ▷
Under certain circumstances, the system
can be reactivated by a service center after
you sign a new contract.
Initiating an Emergency Request 1.
Press the cover briefly to open it.
2. Press the SOS button until the LED in the
button lights up.
▷ The LED lights up: an Emergency Request
was initiated.
If the situation allows, wait in your vehicle
until the voice connection has been estab‐
lished.
▷ The LED flashes if the connection to the
BMW

Assist Response Center has been es‐
tablished.
After the Emergency Request arrives at the
BMW Assist Response Center, the BMW
Assist Response Center contacts you and
takes further steps to help you.
Even if you are unable to respond, the BMW
Assist Response Center can take further
steps to help you under certain circumstan‐
ces.
For this purpose, data that are used to de‐
termine the necessary rescue measures,
such as the current position of the vehicle if
it can be established, are transmitted to the
BMW Assist Response Center.
▷ If the LED is flashing but the BMW Assist
Response Center cannot be heard on the
hands-free system, the hands-free system
may be malfunctioning. However, the BMW
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Breakdown assistance

Assist Response Center may still be able to
hear you.
Initiating an Emergency Request
automatically
Under certain conditions, an Emergency Re‐
quest is automatically initiated immediately after
a severe accident. Automatic Collision Notifica‐
tion is not affected by pressing the SOS button.
Warning triangle* The warning triangle is located in the container
on the inside of the trunk lid.
Unscrew the wing nut to open.
First aid kit*
The first aid kit is located in the container on the
inside of the trunk lid.
Unscrew the wing nut to open.
Some of the articles have a limited service life.
Check the expiration dates of the contents reg‐
ularly and replace any items promptly. Roadside Assistance
Service availability
Roadside Assistance can be reached around the
clock in many countries. You can obtain assis‐
tance there in the event of a vehicle breakdown.
Roadside Assistance
The Roadside Assistance, refer to page
235
phone number can be viewed on the iDrive or a
connection to Roadside Assistance* can be es‐
tablished directly.
Jump starting
Notes
If the battery is discharged, an engine can be
started using the battery of another vehicle and
two jumper cables. Only use jumper cables with
fully insulated clamp handles.
To prevent personal injury or damage to both
vehicles, adhere strictly to the following proce‐
dure.
Do not touch live parts
To avoid the risk of potentially fatal injury,
always avoid all contact with electrical compo‐
nents while the engine is running.◀
Preparation
1. Check whether the battery of the other ve‐
hicle has a voltage of 12 volts. This informa‐
tion can be found on the battery.
2. Switch off the engine of the assisting vehi‐
cle.
3. Switch off any electronic systems/power
consumers in both vehicles.
Bodywork contact between vehicles
Make sure that there is no contact be‐
tween the bodywork of the two vehicles; other‐
wise, there is the danger of short circuits.◀ Seite 267
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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

Headlamps
▷
Do not rub dry and do not use abrasive or
caustic cleansers.
▷ Soak areas that have been soiled e.g. due to
insects, with shampoo and wash off with
water.
▷ Thaw ice with de-icing spray; do not use an
ice scraper.
After washing the vehicle
After washing the vehicle, apply the brakes
briefly
to dry them; otherwise, braking action can
be reduced and corrosion of the brake discs can
occur.
Vehicle care
Car care products
BMW recommends using cleaning and care
products from BMW, since these have been
tested and approved.
Car care and cleaning products
Follow the instructions on the container.
When cleaning the interior, open the doors or
windows.
Only use products intended for cleaning vehi‐
cles.
Cleansers can contain substances that are dan‐
gerous and harmful to your health.◀
Vehicle paint
Regular care contributes to driving safety and
value retention.
Environmental influences can act on the vehicle
paint. Tailor the frequency and extent of your car
care to these influences.
Leather care
Remove dust from the leather often, using a
cloth or vacuum cleaner.
Otherwise, particles of dust and road grime
chafe in pores and folds, and lead to increased wear and premature degradation of the leather
surface.
To guard against discoloration, such as from
clothing,

provide leather care roughly every two
months.
Clean light-colored leather more frequently as
dust and dirt are more noticeable.
Use leather care products; otherwise, dirt and
grease will gradually break down the protective
layer of the leather surface.
Suitable care products are available from the
service center.
Upholstery material care
Vacuum regularly with a vacuum cleaner.
If they are very dirty, e.g., beverage stains, use a
soft sponge or microfiber cloth with a suitable
interior cleaner.
Clean the upholstery down to the seams using
large sweeping motions. Avoid rubbing the ma‐
terial vigorously.
Damage from Velcro® fasteners
Open Velcro® fasteners on pants or other
articles of clothing can damage the seat covers.
Ensure that any Velcro® fasteners are closed.◀
Caring for special components
Light-alloy wheels
Use wheel cleaner, particularly during the winter
months. Do not use aggressive, acidic, strongly
alkaline or abrasive cleaners, or steam jets
above 140 ℉/60 ℃; follow the manufacturer's
instructions.
Chrome surfaces*
Carefully clean components such as the radiator
grille or door handles with an ample supply of
water, possibly with shampoo added, particu‐
larly when they have been exposed to road salt.
Rubber components
Aside from water, treat only with rubber cleans‐
ers. Seite 272
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Care

When cleaning rubber seals, do not use any sil‐
icon-containing car care products in order to
avoid damage or reduced noise damping.
Fine wood parts*
Clean fine wood facing and fine wood compo‐
nents
only with a moist rag. Then dry with a soft
cloth.
Plastic components
These include:
▷ Imitation leather surfaces.
▷ Headliner.
▷ Lamp lenses.
▷ Instrument cluster cover.
▷ Matte black spray-coated components.
Clean with a microfiber cloth.
Moisten the cloth lightly and use plastic
cleanser, if necessary.
Do not soak the headliner.
Do not use cleansers that contain alcohol
or solvents
Do

not use cleansers that contain alcohol or sol‐
vents, such as lacquer thinners, heavy-duty
grease removers, fuel, or such; this could lead to
surface damage.◀
Safety belts
Dirty belt straps impede the reeling action and
thus have a negative impact on safety.
Chemical cleaning
Do not clean chemically; this can destroy
the webbing.◀
Use only a mild soapy solution, with the safety
belts clipped into their buckles.
Do not allow the reels to retract the safety belts
until they are dry. Floor carpets and floor mats*
No objects in the area around the pedals
Keep floor mats, carpets, and any other
objects out of the area of motion of the pedals;
otherwise, the function of the pedals could be
impeded while driving
Do not place additional floor mats over existing
mats or other objects.
Only

use floor mats that have been approved for
the vehicle and can be properly fixed in place.
Ensure that the floor mats are securely fastened
again after they were removed for cleaning, for
example.◀
Floor mats can be removed from the passenger
compartment for cleaning.
If the floor carpets are very dirty, clean with a
microfiber cloth and water or a textile cleaner. To
prevent matting of the carpet, rub back and forth
in the direction of travel only.
Sensors/cameras
To clean sensors and cameras, use a cloth mois‐
tened with a small amount of glass cleaner.
Displays/screens
Clean the displays with a microfiber cloth.
Cleaning displays
Do not use chemical or household cleans‐
ers.
Keep all fluids and moisture away from the unit.
Otherwise, they could affect or damage surfa‐
ces or electrical components.
Avoid pressing too hard when cleaning and do
not use abrasive materials; otherwise, damage
can result.◀
Long-term vehicle storage
Your service center can advise you on what to
consider when storing the vehicle for longer
than three months. Seite 273
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Reference
Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Battery replacement, audio re‐
mote control 198
Battery replacement, remote control, rear entertain‐
ment 200
Battery replacement, vehicle battery 265
Battery replacement, vehicle remote control 32
Battery, vehicle 265
Before entering the car wash 271
Belts, safety belts 53
Beverage holder, cu‐ pholder 140
Blinds, sun protection 45
Bluetooth audio 194
BMW Apps 238
BMW Apps, video play‐ back 193
BMW Assist 234
BMW EfficientDynamics, refer to Saving fuel 148
BMW homepage 6
BMW Internet page 6
BMW Maintenance Sys‐ tem 258
BMW Online 236
Bottle holder, refer to Cu‐ pholder 140
Brake assistant 98
Brake assistant, adaptive 98
Brake discs, breaking in 144
Brake force display 97
Brake lamps, brake force dis‐ play 97
Brake lamps, bulb replace‐ ment 263
Brake lights, adaptive 97
Brake pads, breaking in 144
Braking, notes 145
Breakdown assis‐ tance 266, 267
Breaking in 144
Brightness of Control Dis‐ play 81
Bulb replacement 260
Bulb replacement, front 261 Bulb replacement, rear
263
Bulbs and lamps 260
Button, RES 107
Button, Start/Stop 65
Bypassing, refer to starting aid 267
C
Calendar 228
California Proposition 65 Warning 7
Camera, backup camera 118
Camera, care 273
Camera, Side View 119
Camera, Top View 120
Can holder, refer to Cu‐ pholder 140
Car battery 265
Car care products 272
Care, displays 273
Care, vehicle 272
Cargo 146
Cargo area lid 39
Cargo area, storage compart‐ ments 140
Cargo straps, securing cargo 147
Car key, refer to Remote con‐ trol 32
Carpet, care 273
Car wash 271
Catalytic converter, refer to Hot exhaust system 144
CBS Condition Based Serv‐ ice 258
CD/DVD 179
CD/DVD player, rear 199, 204
CDs, storing 186
Cell phone 212
Center armrest 139
Center console 17
Central locking system 35
Central
screen, refer to Control
Display 19
Changes, technical, refer to Safety 7
Changing parts 260 Changing wheels/tires 250
Check Control 82
Children, seating position 61
Children, transporting safely 61
Child restraint fixing sys‐ tem 61
Child restraint fixing system LATCH 62
Child restraint fixing systems, mounting 61
Child-safety locks 64
Child seat, mounting 61
Child seats 61
Chrome parts, care 272
Cigarette lighter 134
Cleaning, displays 273
Climate control 125
Climate control on head‐ liner 130
Climate control wind‐ shield 145
Clock 77
Closing/opening from in‐ side 39
Closing/opening via door lock 38
Closing/opening with remote control 36
Clothes hooks 140
Collision warning 110
Combination instrument 14
Combination
instrument, elec‐
tronic displays 16
Combination switch, refer to Turn signals 70
Combination switch, refer to Wiper system 70
Comfort Access 42
COMFORT program, Dynamic Driving Control 103
Computer 77
Concierge service 235
Condensation on win‐ dows 126
Condensation under the vehi‐ cle 146
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Condition Based Service
CBS 258
Confirmation signal 37
Contacts 223, 232
Control Display 19
Control Display, settings 80
Controller 19
Control systems, driving sta‐ bility 98
Convenient opening 36
Coolant 256
Coolant temperature 76
Cooler 135
Cooling function 127
Cooling, maximum 126
Cooling system 256
Corrosion on brake discs 146
Cruise control 111
Cruise control, active with Stop & Go 105
Cruising range 75
Cupholder 140
Curb weight 278
Current fuel consumption 76
Current location, storing 154
Customer Relations 237
D
Damage, tires 249
Damping control, dy‐ namic 100
Data, technical 276
Date 77
Daytime running lights 85
Defrosting, refer to Windows, defrosting 126
Destination distance 78
Destination guidance 159
Destination guidance with in‐ termediate destinations 158
Destination input, naviga‐ tion 152
Digital clock 77
Digital radio 173
Dimensions 276
Dimmable interior rearview mirror 59 Direction indicator, refer to
Turn signals 70
Display in front wind‐ shield 123
Display,
instrument cluster 75
Display lighting, refer to Instru‐ ment lighting 87
Displays 14
Displays, cleaning 273
Disposal, coolant 257
Disposal, vehicle battery 265
Distance control, refer to PDC 113
Distance, selecting for ACC 106
Distance to destination 78
Divided screen view, split screen 23
Door lock, refer to Remote control 32
Doors, Automatic Soft Clos‐ ing 39
Downhill control 99
Drive-off assistant 98
Drive-off assistant, refer to DSC 98
Driving instructions, breaking in 144
Driving notes, general 144
Driving stability control sys‐ tems 98
Driving tips 144
DSC Dynamic Stability Con‐ trol 98
DTC Dynamic Traction Con‐ trol 99
DVD/CD 179
DVD/CD notes 185
DVD/CD player, rear 199, 204
DVD changer 183
DVD settings 182
DVDs, storing 186
DVD, video 181
Dynamic Damping Con‐ trol 100
Dynamic destination guid‐ ance 165
Dynamic Drive 100 Dynamic Driving Control
102
Dynamic Stability Control DSC 98
Dynamic Traction Control DTC 99
E
EfficientDynamics, refer to Saving fuel 148
Electronic displays, instru‐ ment cluster 16
Electronic engine oil level check 255
Electronic Stability Program ESP, refer to DSC 98
Emergency detection, remote control 33
Emergency release, door lock 38
Emergency release, fuel filler flap 242
Emergency release, parking brake 67
Emergency Request 266
Emergency service, refer to Roadside Assistance 267
Emergency start function, en‐ gine start 33
Emergency unlocking, trunk lid 42
Energy Control 76
Energy recovery 77
Engine compartment 253
Engine compartment, working in 253
Engine coolant 256
Engine oil 255
Engine oil, adding 255
Engine oil additives 256
Engine oil filler neck 255
Engine oil temperature 76
Engine oil types, alterna‐ tive 256
Engine oil types, ap‐ proved 256
Engine start during malfunc‐ tion 33
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Everything from A to Z