ESP BMW 745LI SEDAN 2002 User Guide

Adjustments
48
Head restraints Adjustment information
Head restraints can reduce the risk of
spinal injury in the event of an acci-
dent.
Adjust the head restraints so that they are
centered roughly at the level of your ears.<
Electric power seat, comfort seat
Height adjustment The head restraint automatically adjusts to
the standard height for the seat's current
forward/backward adjustment.
You can then adjust the height of the
head restraint by hand or using the
electric switch as required.<
To adjust head restraint tilt angle: adjust by
tilting the head restraint. To adjust side extensionsYou can fold the side extensions on the
head restraint forward for increased lateral
support.
Front head restraints, active*

When necessary, the system will respond
to a rear impact by automatically triggering
the active head restraints.
To ensure that the active head
restraints afford maximum protection,
and to avoid unnecessary risks to personal
safety, we request that you read and
comply with the following.
>Adjust the head restraints so that they
are centered at roughly ear height
>Do not install seat or head-restraint
covers
>Never use the head restraints as
supports for suspending objects of any
kind, such as clothes hangers. Refrain from
mounting accessories on either the seat or
the head restraint. Manual adjustment>To raise: pull
>To lower: press the button, arrow 1, and
push down the head restraint.
To remove head restraints, refer to
page 49. Adjusting the center head restraint
If the head restraint has been
lowered, pull it back up, continuing
until the detent engages, before allowing a
passenger to ride in the rear center posi-
tion. Failure to observe this precaution can
reduce the level of occupant protection.<

Adjustments
50
Safety beltsDespite the presence of airbags, you
should always remember to fasten your
safety belt before starting off; airbags are
intended to enhance the protection
provided by the safety belts, and not to
replace them. To fastenMake sure you hear the latch plate engage
in the belt buckle.
Warning lamp: Please fasten safety
belts. Accompanied by a signal
and/or a message in the Check
Control display. Remains on until the safety
belts are fastened. To releasePress the red button in the buckle. Hold the
belt and guide it back into its reel.
The shoulder strap's anchorage point will
be in the correct position for seat occu-
pants of every build if the seat is correctly
adjusted, refer to page 45.
The two rear safety belt buckles integrated
in the rear seat are for passengers sitting
on the left and right. The belt buckle embossed with the word CENTER is
intended exclusively for use by passengers
riding in the center position.
Please remember to observe the instruc-
tions for seat adjustment found on
page 45.
If the safety belts are damaged or
stretched in an accident: have the
entire belt system, including the tensioning
mechanisms and any installed child-
restraint systems, replaced at your BMW
center. Have the belt anchorage points
inspected for damage at the same time.
Failure to observe this precaution may
prevent the safety belts from effectively
providing optimal protection when
needed.<
Rear seats
When the rear center position is not
occupied, the latch on the safety belt
can be inserted in the slot between the
seat's upholstery and the backrest.<
Heated seats*Front The system regulates the temperatures of
the seat cushion and backrest.
The temperature setting progresses one
step through its control sequence each
time you press the button.
To switch off :
Maintain pressure on the button for several
seconds.

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Active seat* "Active" adjustment of the seat cushion's
contours reduces muscular tension and
fatigue to help prevent lower back pain.
To activate: press the button, the indicator
lamp comes on. MirrorAdjusting exterior mirrors 14-way adjustment
2To select mirror for adjustment
To prevent the exterior mirrors on this
vehicle from being damaged, always
fold them in by hand before entering an
automatic car wash.<
You can also adjust the mirrors manually by
pressing against the outer edges of their
lenses.
Storing the mirror positions, refer to seat,
mirror and steering wheel memory on
page 54.
The mirror on the passenger's side
features a lens with a more convex
surface than the mirror installed on the
driver's side. When estimating the distance between yourself and other traffic, bear in
mind that the objects reflected in the mirror
are closer than they appear. This means
that estimations of the distance to following
traffic should not be regarded as precise.<
Self-defrosting mirrors The mirrors are automatically heated
whenever the ignition is switched on. Interior and exterior mirrors,
automatic dimming feature*

These mirrors automatically respond to
ambient light and headlamp glare from
following vehicles by automatically
dimming through an infinitely-variable
range. There are two photocells located in
the interior rearview mirror for this purpose.
One is integrated within the mirror's lens
(arrow), while the other is located at an
offset position on the rear of the mirror
housing.
The mirrors automatically revert to their
clear, undimmed mode whenever you
place the selector lever into reverse.
For trouble-free operation, keep the
photocells clean and do not cover the
area between the interior rearview mirror
and the windshield. Do not attach any kind
of stickers on the windshield in front of the
mirror, either.<

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1.Select the driver's door mirror with the
switch
2.When you tap the selector lever to select
reverse, the door mirror on the passenger
side tilts downward. This allows the driver
to see the area immediately adjacent to the
vehicle Ð such as a curb Ð when parking,
etc.
You can deactivate this automatic feature:
Slide the mirror selection switch to the
"passenger's side" position.
Airbags 1Front airbags for driver and front
passenger
2Head airbags in front and rear
*
3Side airbags in front and rear*
4Knee airbags for driver and front
passenger
Airbags are located under the upholstery
covers on the steering wheel, in the instru-
ment panel, in the door trim panels in front
and rear
*, on the roof pillars and the sides
of the headliner.
Protective effect The front airbags protect the front passen-
gers by responding to frontal impacts in
which safety belts alone cannot provide
adequate restraint. When needed, the head
and side airbags help provide protection in
the event of 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 compart-ment. The knee airbags help protect the
legs against impact against the cockpit.
The side airbags in the rear
passenger area of your vehicle may
already have been deactivated either at the
time of manufacture or by a BMW center.
You may have them activated if you desire
to do so. Please contact your BMW center
for additional information.<
For information on the proper sitting posi-
tion, refer to page 45.
The airbags do not deploy in
response to minor collisions or rear
impacts, nor do they respond to certain
kinds of vehicle rollover.<
Even when all safety guidelines are
observed, there is a small residual risk that
passengers will sustain facial, hand or arm
injuries in isolated instances. The ignition
and inflation noise may provoke a mild
temporary hearing loss in extremely sensi-
tive individuals.

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Important safety notes
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. If you
note any indication of system malfunction,
if you desire to have an airbag deactivated,
or if the airbags are triggered in response
to an accident, you should always entrust
all inspection, repair and dismantling oper-
ations to your BMW center.
Never modify or tamper with either the
wiring or the individual components in the
airbag system. This category includes the
upholstery in the center of the steering
wheel, on the instrument panel, the side
trim panels on the front and rear doors, and
the roof pillars along with the sides of the
headliner. Do not attempt to remove or
dismantle the steering wheel.
To ensure compliance with official safety
regulations, entrust disposal of airbag
generators to a BMW center.
Unprofessional attempts to service the
system could lead to failure in an emer-
gency or undesired airbag activation, either
of which could result in personal injury. Do
not touch the individual components
directly after the system has been trig-
gered, because there is a danger of
burns.<
At all times, occupants should sit
upright and be properly restrained Ð
infants and small children in appropriate
child-restraint systems; larger children and
adults using the safety belts. Never let an
occupant's head rest near or on a side
airbag because the inflating airbag could
cause a serious or fatal injury. Please note
that the word "Airbag" imprinted on the
door trim panel indicates the airbag's loca-
tion.
Never install a rear-facing child-restraint
device on the front passenger seat. If you
do so, the child could be injured when the
airbag is triggered.
Children should always ride in the rear and
the restraint systems should be secured
with the vehicle's belts.Accident research shows that the safest
place for children in an automobile is in the
rear seat. However, a child sitting in the
rear seat and not properly restrained may
place his or her head on or near the airbag,
if so equipped.
For example, a child Ñ even though belted
Ñ may fall asleep with his or her head
against the side airbag. It may be difficult
for a driver to ensure that children in the
rear seat will remain properly positioned at
all times and do not place their heads on or
near the side airbag. Therefore, we recom-
mend that the rear side airbags, if provided,
be deactivated if you plan to transport chil-
dren in the rear seat.
The rear seat side airbags may already
have been deactivated, either at the time of
manufacture or by a BMW center. Labels in
the rear door opening should indicate the
status of your rear-seat side airbags. If you
are uncertain of their status, or wish to have
the airbags activated or deactivated,
please contact your BMW center.<
Even when all these guidelines are
observed, there is still a small residual risk
of injuries to the face, hands and arms
occurring from airbag deployment in
isolated instances. The ignition and infla-
tion noise may provoke a mild temporary
hearing loss in extremely sensitive individ-
uals.
Airbag warning information is also provided
on the sun blinds.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp shows the
airbag and belt-tensioner system's
operational status as soon as you
insert the remote control unit in the ignition
(radio mode).
System operational:
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly.
System malfunction:
>The indicator lamp fails to come on or
>it remains on continuously.

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A system malfunction could prevent the
system from responding to an impact
occurring within its normal response range.
Please respond to any signs of malfunction
by having the airbag system inspected
immediately at a BMW center. Transporting children safely Commercially-available child-restraint
systems are designed to be secured with a
lap belt or with the lap belt portion of a
combination lap/shoulder belt. Improperly
or inadequately installed restraint systems
can increase the risk of injury to children.
Always read and follow the instructions that
come with the system. Child-restraint system with tether
strap If you use a child-restraint system with a
tether strap, three additional tether
anchorage points have been provided Ð
refer to the arrows in the illustration.
Depending on the location selected for
seating in the rear passenger area, attach
the tether strap to the corresponding
anchorage point to secure the child-
restraint system, as shown in the illustra-
tion below. Each seating position is fitted with a head
restraint.
Outer seating positions:
Lift the head restraint and pass the tether
strap between the headrest and the seat
back. It is recommended to readjust the
head restraint into the lowest possible
position.
Center seating position:
The headrest must be adjusted into the
lowest possible position. Pass the tether
strap over the headrest.
Adjust the tether strap according to the
child-restraint manufacturer's instructions.
Before installing any child-restraint
device or child seat, please read the
following:
Never install a rearward-facing child-
restraint system in the front passenger seat
of this vehicle.
Your vehicle is equipped with an airbag
supplemental restraint system for the front
passenger. Because the backrest on any
rearward-facing child-restraint system Ð of
the kind designed for infants under 1 year
and 20 Ibs./9 kg Ð would be within the
airbag's deployment range, you should
never mount such a device in the front
passenger seat, since the impact of the
airbag against the child-restraint's backrest
could lead to serious or fatal injuries.
If it is necessary for a child Ð not an infant Ð
to ride in the front seat, certain precautions
should be taken. First, move the passenger
seat as far away from the instrument panel
as possible. This important precaution is
intended to maximize the distance
between the airbag and the child. Older
children should be tightly secured with a

Driving
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Starting the engine
Do not allow the engine to run in
enclosed spaces. The exhaust gases
contain carbon monoxide, an odorless and
colorless, but highly toxic gas. Breathing
the exhaust gases poses an extreme health
risk, and can lead to unconsciousness and
death.
Never leave the vehicle parked with the
engine running, as it would then pose a
potential safety hazard.<
1.Insert the remote control unit all the way
into the ignition lock
2.Depress the brake pedal
3.Maintain pressure on the brake pedal
and briefly press the start / stop button.
You can release the brake pedal as soon as
the engine starts.
Your BMW is equipped with the
convenience starting feature. After
depressing the brake pedal, all you need to
do is briefly press the start / stop button.
The system responds by automatically
engaging the starter and allowing it to run
until the engine starts, after which it then
disengages automatically.
The automatic starting mode will not
operate or will be canceled if the battery
voltage is low. It is then possible to start the
engine using electrical power from an
outside source, refer to page 187.
The engine starts immediately in response
to pressure on the button at speeds of
roughly 3 mph (5 km/h) and above. It is not
necessary to depress the brake pedal.<
Do not allow the engine to warm up by
leaving it running while the vehicle remains stationary. Instead, begin to drive immedi-
ately at a moderate engine speed.
Under the following conditions you should
press the accelerator pedal halfway down
when starting:
>If the engine fails to start on the first
attempt, for instance, if it is very hot or cold
>During cold starts at high altitudes, of
roughly 3,300 ft (1000 m) and above, and in
extreme cold, at temperatures of approxi-
mately +5 7 (Ð15 6) and below.
Refrain from starting the vehicle
repeatedly at brief intervals, and
avoid an excessive number of starting
attempts if the vehicle fails to start;
repeated activation of the starter over an
extended period would allow unburned or
only partially combusted fuel to enter the
catalytic converter, where it can cause
overheating and damage to the unit.<
Switching off engineWith the vehicle stationary, briefly press the
start / stop button. This also activates the
radio mode.
Should exceptional circumstances
render it necessary for you to switch
off the engine while the vehicle is moving,
maintain pressure on the start / stop button
for approx. 1 second.
If you maintain pressure on the start / stop
button for longer than two seconds while
switching off the ignition, the remote
control unit will be ejected.<
Always remove the remote control
unit from the ignition lock before
leaving the vehicle.< Parking brake The concept Your BMW is equipped with an electro-
mechanical parking brake.
The parking brake is primarily intended to
prevent the vehicle from rolling while
parked.

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You have two separate options for
engaging the parking brake:
>Manually, by briefly pressing the button
>Automatically, through activation of the
Automatic Hold mode, refer to next
column.
An electrohydraulic mechanism then
engages the parking brakes to prevent the
rear wheels from turning whenever you
switch off the engine.
When the engine is running, parking brake
engagement is controlled by the brake
system's hydraulic circuits, which act on
the disc brakes at the front and rear
wheels. Brake pedal feel Because this function is activated using the
brake system's hydraulic circuits, the
response of the brake pedal may change
slightly. Engagement may also be accom-
panied by activation noise Ð this is normal. Manual engagement
Press the button briefly, the
word "PARK" appears briefly in
the Info Display.
The indicator lamp
appears in red in the Info
Display when the parking brake is
engaged, refer to page 14.
The indicator lamp goes out
soon after you switch off the igni-
tion.<
Manual release
With the ignition on, briefly
press the button: the indicator
lamp in the Info Display goes
out.
Provided that the detent holding the
remote control unit in the ignition lock
is engaged, you can also release the
parking brake after the engine has been
switched off. This function is intended for
use in automatic car washes, etc.<
When leaving the vehicle, always
release the remote control unit from
the detent in the ignition lock; this precau-
tion prevents children from disengaging the
parking brake, etc.
The parking brake can still be engaged at
any time when the remote control unit is
released from the detent. It is only possible
to disengage the parking brake with the
ignition on.<
If exceptional circumstances should
make it necessary to engage the
parking brake while the vehicle is in motion,
maintain pressure on the button.
The indicator lamp appears in red in the
Info Display. A gong sounds at the same
time.
The brake lamps come on.
The vehicle continues to brake automati-
cally for as long as you maintain pressure
on the button.<
When you brake the vehicle to a
virtual stop, i.e., down to a speed of
approx. 1.9 mph (3 km/h) or below, the
parking brake remains engaged.
The indicator lamp in the Info Display
appears in red. Press the button briefly to
disengage the parking brake manually.<
Automatic Hold You can activate this feature after starting
the engine; it then remains operational until
the next time the engine is switched off.
This feature provides supplementary
support during vehicle operation by auto-
matically engaging and releasing the
parking brake during stops at traffic lights,

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>the hood is opened while the engine is
running
>the luggage compartment is opened
with the transmission in reverse while the
engine is running, and
>when the parking brake is used to bring
the vehicle to a stop.
The indicator lamp shifts from green
to red, and the "Auto P" message disap-
pears from the Info Display.
Before starting off again, briefly press the
button to disengage the parking brake
manually, refer to page 63, or reactivate
Automatic Hold, refer to page 64.
Before leaving the vehicle with the
engine running, always move the
automatic transmission's selector lever to
position P and ensure that the parking
brake is engaged. The vehicle could start to
roll if you fail to observe these precautions.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the
engine running, as such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
Automatic Hold is automatically
deactivated whenever the system
detects any tendency for the wheels to spin
in response to slippery road surfaces. Note
the status displays in the Check Control
panel. You can find more detailed informa-
tion on Check Control on page 80.< Malfunctions In the event of malfunction, the indicator
lamp in the Info Display will light up
yellow, and a status report will appear in
the Check Control panel. Please remember
to observe the supplementary information
provided in the Control Display. To disengage the parking brake
manually You can respond to any interruptions in the
supply of electrical power, for instance, if
the battery is discharged or disconnected,
by releasing the parking brake manually.
Before proceeding to release the
parking brake manually, and each
time you park the vehicle without engaging the parking brake, always ensure that the
automatic transmission's selector lever is
in position P, refer to page 66. Note the
range indicated in the Info Display.
If it is not possible to avoid parking on an
extremely steep slope, use some supple-
mentary means, such as a wheel chock, to
make certain that the vehicle will not roll,
refer to page 184. Otherwise the danger
exists that the vehicle could roll when
parked on a very steep hill.<
Should it be necessary to release the auto-
matic transmission's lockout manually, for
instance, if the battery is discharged,
always adhere to the following sequence:
1.If necessary, start by manually releasing
the parking brake
2.Then release the automatic transmis-
sion's lockout manually, refer to page 70.
Towing and jump-starting, refer to
pages 187 and 188.
What you will need 1Screwdriver handle
2Emergency-release tool
310 mm open-end wrench
You will find the required tools in the tool kit
mounted on the inside of the luggage
compartment lid, refer to page 181.
Insert the emergency-release tool in the
screwdriver handle as shown in the illustra-
tion.

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To release 1.Remove the floor mat and the cover on
the spare tire
2.Guide the emergency-release tool with
the screwdriver handle into the opening,
arrow 1
3.Apply the open-end wrench to the
hexagon on the emergency-release tool.
Press against the resistance from the
spring to guide the emergency-release tool
all the way in, then hold it in place. Turn the
emergency-release tool in the direction
indicated by the arrow 2, continuing until
you hear the mechanism snap into place
and feel resistance; maintain pressure on
the tool after the mechanism engages
4.Use the open-end wrench to turn the
emergency-release tool against the drive
unit's mechanical resistance, continuing to
rotate it in arrow direction 2 until you feel a
substantial increase in turning effort.
To prevent possible damage to the
rear brakes, always make sure that
the parking brake is completely released
before driving the vehicle.<
5.Return the tools to their places
6.Return the spare tire cover and the floor
mat to their original locations.
Have any defects repaired at the
nearest BMW center. The technicians
can also return the parking brake to normal
operational status after it has been
released manually in response to malfunc-
tion.<
Following manual release, the actual
status of the parking brake may vary
from that displayed by the indicator lamp.<
Operation after interruptions in
power supply
The parking brake may only be used
again, if it is released manually after
an interruption in power supply, i. e. as a
result of a discharged or disconnected
battery. If this is not done, the parking
brake may fail to operate correctly. Even
with the parking brake engaged, there
would be a danger of the vehicle rolling on
steep hills.<
Once the electrical power supply has been
restored you can again use the parking
brake:
With the ignition on and the
vehicle stationary, tap the
button three times at intervals
of approx. 5 seconds. This
initializes the system as follows:
>Initializing the disengaged setting
>Engage Ð the system registers the new
status and the brake setting is initialized.
The indicator lamp in the Info Display
appears in red
>Release Ð the parking brake is ready for
operation. The indicator lamp in the
Info Display goes out.
Automatic transmission
with L mode While you can drive as with a conventional
automatic transmission, you also have the
option of retaining your current gear selec-
tion with the L/D button on the steering
wheel, refer to page 68. Transmission ranges