2003 BMW M5 SEDAN deactivate airbag

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Indicator and warning lamps

Red: an important reminder

Parking brake

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Comes on when you engage the
parking brake.
For additional information: refer to
page 58
Parking brake warning lamp for
Canadian models.
Please fasten safety belts

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An acoustic signal sounds and a
message appears in the Check
Control for 4 to 8 seconds. The acous-
tical signal remains on until the belt is
fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts: refer to page 44
Airbags

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Please have the system
inspected at your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 49

Yellow: please have checked at
your earliest opportunity

Antilock Brake System
(ABS)

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ABS has been deactivated in
response to a system malfunction. Con-
ventional braking efficiency is available
and unrestricted. Please have the
system inspected at your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 107
ABS warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)

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DSC has been switched off or
has been deactivated because of a mal-
function. In the event of a malfunction,
have the system checked at your BMW
center.
For additional information: refer to
page 80

Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)

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Malfunction in DBC system.
Conventional braking performance
remains available with no loss of effi-
ciency.
Have the system repaired by your BMW
center at the earliest possible opportu-
nity.
For additional information: refer to
page 80
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Service Engine Soon

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If the indicator lamp lights up
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems.
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems
checked at your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information: refer to OBD
interface socket, page 121
Service Engine Soon warning
lamp for Canadian models.

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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 help to protect the
driver and passenger in the event of a
head-on collision where the protection
provided by the safety belt alone would
not be adequate. The head protection
airbags and side airbags help provide
protection 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 pas-
senger 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 infor-
mation.<
For information on the correct seating
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 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 dis-
posal of airbag generators to your BMW
center. Attempts to carry out service
procedures undertaken by anyone
other than specially-trained profes-
sionals 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 acci-
dent, always remember to avoid all
contact with system components, as
they are hot and can cause burns in the
period immediately following deploy-
ment.<
All vehicle occupants should
always sit upright and be properly
restrained (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: the
inflating airbag could cause a serious or

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Airbagsfatal injury. Please note that the word
"Airbag" imprinted on the door trim
panel indicates the airbag's location.
Accident research shows that the
safest place for children in an automo-
bile 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 side airbag, if installed. For
example, a child Ð even though belted Ð
may fall asleep with his or her head
against the side airbag. It may be diffi-
cult 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 recommend that the
rear-seat 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 con-
tact your BMW center.< Even when all these guidelines are fol-
lowed, there is still a small residual risk
of injuries to the face, hands and arms
occurring in isolated instances.
The ignition and inflation noise may
provoke a mild temporary hearing loss
in extremely sensitive individuals.
Airbag warning information is also pro-
vided on the sun visors.
This is the right way a child should sit in
a child restraint when rear side airbags
(arrow) are provided.
380de637

Everything from A to ZReleasing the fuel filler door
after an electrical
malfunction20t
Reminder signal (Memo)71
Remote control28, 77
Remote control key26
Removing condensation
from windows89t
Repairing flat tire128
Replacement key26t
Replacement of lamps and
bulbs124t
Replacement of windshield
wiper blades124t
Reporting safety defects10
Reservoir, washer
system115t
Residual heating mode90
Roller sun blinds92
Roof load capacity142
Roof-mounted luggage
rack103 S
Safety belts44
Safety buttons31
Safety defects, reporting10
Safety switch for power
windows37
Seat heating46 Seats40
adjusting40
heating46
position adjustment
memory45
Securing cargo34, 102
Service and Warranty10
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet (US
models)119
Service Interval
Display65, 119
Setting alarm in an
emergency77
Side airbags49
Side Impact Head Protection
System49
Side-marker lamps84
Sitting safely40
with airbags40
with safety belt40
Ski bag100
Sliding/tilt sunroof38
closing after an electrical
malfunction39t
convenience operation27
power loss or
malfunction39t
Snow chains112 Socket for attaching power
supplies98
Spare key26
Speakers97
Special characteristics of
winter tires112
Special oils117
Specified engine oils117
Speed76
average76
Speed limit73
Speedometer15
Sport seat41
Standing lamps14, 85
Starting the engine56
assistance133t
problems57, 133t
Starting, vehicle56
Steering wheel47
automatic adjustment47
lock56
position adjustment
memory45
Steering wheel with multi-
function buttons19
Stopwatch71
refer also to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
Storage compartments96 Summer tires111
Switching off the engine57
Symbols8
T
Tachometer64
Tail lamps126
bulb replacement126t
Tank capacity143
Technical
modifications120
Telephone preparation97
Temperature display
engine coolant65
engine oil64
outside temperature63
Temperature gauge
coolant65
engine oil64
Temperature layering91
Tether strap52
child-restraint system52
Thigh support
adjustment41
Third brake light127
Through-loading system99
Tilt alarm sensor36
deactivate29
Tilt function, passenger-side
mirror46