2002 BMW M5 SEDAN steering

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Steering wheelAdjustmentsThe steering wheel can be moved in
any of four directions. Adjust by moving
the control lever in the desired direc-
tion.
Do not adjust the steering wheel
while the vehicle is moving. There
is a risk of accident from unexpected
movement.<
To store the steering wheel setting,
refer to "Seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory" on page 45.39mde134
Automatic steering wheel
adjustmentIn order to make it easier to get into and
out of the vehicle, the steering wheel
automatically moves into the top posi-
tion and returns to the driving (memory)
position.
This automatic feature is controlled by
the position of the ignition key and by
the driver's door.
Your BMW center can adjust your
vehicle's systems in such a
manner that your personalized setting is
automatically called up for the steering
wheel position when you unlock the
vehicle with your personal key.<

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Mirrors Exterior mirrors1 Switch for 4-way adjustment
2 Selection switch for changing
between mirrorsTo adjust manuallyThe mirrors can also be adjusted by
hand:
Press the edge of the lens.
To store mirror settings, refer to "Seat,
mirror and steering wheel memory" on
page 45.390us733
Curved-lens mirror
The passenger-side mirror
features a convex lens. When esti-
mating the distance between yourself
and other traffic, bear in mind that the
objects reflected in the mirror are closer
than they appear.<
Your BMW center can adjust your
vehicle's systems in such a
manner that your personalized setting is
automatically called up for the mirror
position when you unlock the vehicle
with your personal remote control.<
Self-defrosting mirrors Both mirrors are automatically
defrosted with the ignition key in
position 2.
Interior and exterior mirrors,
automatic dimming feature These mirrors automatically respond to
glare from following vehicles by
dimming through an infinitely variable
range. The mirrors automatically revert
to their clear, undimmed setting when-
ever you select reverse.
The interior rearview mirror's dimming
function is regulated by two photocells;
one is integrated in the mirror's lens
(arrow), while the other is located at an
offset position on the rear of the mirror.
To ensure that the mirror continues to
operate efficiently, ensure that the area
adjacent to the photocells remains
clear and unobstructed. Refrain from
attaching stickers or other objects to
windshield immediately behind the
rearview mirror.39mde082

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Airbags1 Front airbags on the driver and
passenger sides
2 Head protection airbags on driver
and passenger side (front and rear
*)
3 Side airbags on driver and passenger
side (front and rear
*)
Protective effectThe front airbags protect the driver and
passenger in the event of head-on colli-
sion where the protection provided by
the safety belt alone would not be
adequate. The head protection airbags
and side airbags help provide protec-
tion in the event of a collision from the
side. Each of the side airbags is
designed to help support the occu-
pant's upper body.39mde084
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 acti-
vated if you desire to do so. Please
contact your BMW center for additional
information.<
For information on the correct sitting
position, refer to page 40.
The airbags will not be triggered in
the event of a minor accident, a
vehicle rollover or a collision from the
rear.<
Never apply stickers or adhesive-
backed objects of any kind to the
airbag covers. Never attempt to reup-
holster the covers or modify them in any
way. If the airbags deploy in response
to an accident, if you note any signs of
system malfunction, or if you wish to
have any parts of the airbag passenger-
restraint system deactivated, always
contact your BMW center, to whom we
strongly urge you to entrust all testing,
repair and dismantling operations.
Never attempt to modify or tamper with
either the system's electrical wiring or
any of its individual components.
System components include the uphol-
stered surfaces on the steering wheel,
instrument panel, the trim panels on the
front and rear doors (with rear airbags)
and the roof braces as well as the sides
of the headliner above the doors.
Never attempt to remove or dismantle
the steering wheel.
To ensure compliance with official
safety regulations, always entrust
disposal of airbag generators to your
BMW center. Attempts to carry out
service procedures undertaken by
anyone other than specially-trained
professionals can result in system
failure or undesired airbag deployment,
both of which can lead to personal
injury. If the airbags deploy in response
to an accident, always remember to
avoid all contact with system compo-
nents, as they are hot and can cause
burns in the period immediately
following deployment.<

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Vehicle Memory, Key Memory How the system functionsNo doubt you have reflected at one
time or another on how great it would
be if you could permanently configure
your vehicle's various features and
adjustments to mirror your own indi-
vidual preferences. In engineering your
vehicle, BMW has incorporated a
number of options for personal adjust-
ment that can be programmed into your
vehicle at your BMW center.
The available configuration data fall into
two categories, according to whether
their primary orientation is the vehicle
("Vehicle Memory") or the individual
("Key Memory"). Provided that each
person has a separate remote-control
key, you can have your BMW center
enter two personal adjustments for two
different individuals into the system.463de029
When your vehicle is unlocked with the
remote control, the vehicle recognizes
the individual user by means of a data
exchange with the key, and makes
adjustments accordingly.
Color-coded decals have been
provided to help you distinguish indi-
vidual keys with different settings.What the system can doYour BMW center can provide you with
details on the capabilities of the Vehicle
Memory and Key Memory systems. A
few examples follow below:
Examples for Vehicle Memory:
>Various signals as acknowledgment
when locking or unlocking your
vehicle
>Activates/deactivates the "Follow me
home" function.Examples for Key Memory:
>Locks the vehicle when you start off
>Automatically adjusts the driverÕs
seat, the exterior mirrors and the
steering wheel position to your
personal programmed settings when
you unlock the vehicle
>The automatic climate control
assumes your preset comfort settings
when you unlock the vehicle.
You will see this symbol through-
out the Owner's Manual. It is to
remind you at appropriate places of the
settings that are available to you.<

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0 Steering locked
1 Steering unlocked
2 Ignition switched on
3 Starting engine
Steering locked The key can be inserted or removed in
this position only.
An acoustic warning is sounded when
you fail to remove the ignition key after
opening the driver's door.
After removing the key, turn the
steering wheel slightly to the left or right
until the lock engages. 390de010
Steering unlocked Turning the steering wheel slightly to
the right or left often makes it easier to
turn the key from 0 to 1.
Individual electrical accessories are
ready for operation.Starting engine Depress the clutch when starting the
engine. A lockout prevents the engine
from starting with the clutch engaged.
Before starting>Engage the parking brake
>Move the shift lever to the neutral
position
>Step on the clutch pedal.
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.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running. An unattended
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
Steering/Ignition lock Starting the engine

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Starting the engine Switching off the engine Starting engineDo not press the accelerator pedal
while starting the engine.
While it is important not to release
the key prematurely, you should
also avoid allowing the starter to
operate continuously for more than
20 seconds at a time. Release the igni-
tion key immediately when the engine
starts.<
Do not warm up the engine by allowing
it to run with the vehicle parked.
Instead, you should drive away immedi-
ately while taking care to avoid high
engine speeds until the engine warms
to its normal operating temperature.
If the engine does not start on the first
attempt (the engine is very hot or cold,
for instance):
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Cold starts at extremely low tempera-
tures of roughly +57 (Ð156) or below
and at altitudes of over 3,300 ft
(1,000 m):
>Allow the starter to turn somewhat
longer (approximately 10 seconds)
during your initial starting attempt.
The engine's idle speed is automatically
regulated by the computerized engine-
management system. A brief period at
high idle is normal just after starting; the
idle speed should gradually return to
normal as the engine warms. Should
the engine fail to revert to its normal
idle speed after warming, a problem
may exist: please refer the problem to
your BMW center.
To prevent the battery from discharging,
always switch off any electrical devices
not in use, as well as the ignition when
the vehicle is not being driven.
Extended starting attempts, char-
acterized by excessively frequent
or long periods with the starter
engaged, can lead to catalyst
damage.<
When driving, standing at idle,
and parking the vehicle, take care
to avoid contact between the exhaust
system and flammable materials (grass,
hay, leaves, etc.). Such contact could
lead to a fire, resulting in serious
personal injury and property damage.<
Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Do not remove the ignition key
while the vehicle is still moving. If
you do so, the steering will lock, making
it impossible to steer the vehicle.
When you leave the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key and engage the
steering lock.
Always engage the parking brake
when parking on hills and inclined
surfaces, as even first gear or reverse
may not provide adequate resistance to
rolling.<

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Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)DSC maintains vehicle stability, even in
critical driving situations.
The system optimizes vehicle stability
during acceleration and when starting
from a full stop, as well as enhancing
traction. In addition, the system recog-
nizes unstable vehicle conditions
(understeering or oversteering, for
example) and holds the vehicle on a
sure course by intervening via the
engine and by braking at the individual
wheels.
The system starts up automatically
each time you start the engine.Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out shortly
after you switch on the ignition.
Refer to page 17.
Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is active and governs drive
and braking force.
If the indicator lamp fails to go out after
the engine is started, or if it comes on
during normal driving and stays on:
There is a system malfunction or the
system was deactivated with the button.
You can continue to drive the vehicle
normally, but without DSC. Please
consult your BMW center for repairs.
To deactivate the systemPress the button, the indicator lamp
lights up and remains on continuously.
When DSC is deactivated, you are
driving with conventional power
transfer.
In the following exceptional circum-
stances, it may be effective to deacti-
vate the DSC for a short period:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces
>When driving with snow chains.39mde124
To reactivate the systemPress the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.
The laws of physics cannot be
repealed, even with DSC. An
appropriate driving style always
remains the responsibility of the driver.
Do not use the extra safety margins
furnished by these systems as an
excuse for taking unnecessary risks. DSC system.
The system responds to sudden, high-
intensity applications of force to the
brake pedal by automatically braking
the vehicle with maximum boost to
achieve the shortest possible braking
distances during "panic stops." This
system exploits all the benefits of ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure exerted
against the brake pedal until the
braking maneuver has been completed.
DBC is deactivated when you release
the pedal.

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
M Dynamic Driving ControlThe system guarantees that whenever
desired, the system will switch the
Servotronic and the accelerator pedal
response from the sporty-comfortable
mode to a pure performance mode.
This means that steering response
becomes more performance-oriented
and the response of the accelerator
pedal is much more spontaneous
(Performance Recognition). 39mde125
Performance Recognition Press the button with the ignition key in
position 2: the indicator lamp comes
on.
Deactivating Performance Recognition:
press the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.
The coordinated performance-comfort
mode is activated automatically each
time you start the engine.