2004 BMW 525I SEDAN mirror controls

Cockpit

10

Cockpit
All around the steering wheel: controls and displays

1

Roller sun blind for rear window 97

2

Rear window safety switch34

3

Electric power windows33

4

Adjusting exterior mirrors42

5

Turn signal indicators 56
High beams, headlamp
flasher88
Check Control68
Computer70
Standing lamps88

Controls
33Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Indicator lamp displays
>The indicator lamp beneath the interior
mirror flashes continuously: the system
is armed
>If the indicator lamp flashes during arm-
ing: doors, engine hood or luggage
compartment lid are not properly
closed. Even if you do not close the
alerted area, the system begins to mon-
itor the remaining areas, and the indica-
tor lamp flashes continuously after
approx. 10 seconds. However, the inte-
rior motion sensor is not activated
>If the indicator lamp goes out on dis-
arming: no manipulation or attempted
intrusions have been detected in the
period since the system was armed
>If the indicator lamp flashes on disarm-
ing until the key is inserted in the igni-
tion lock, but for approx. 5 minutes at
the most: your vehicle has been manip-
ulated in the meantime.
Following triggering of an alarm, the indica-
tor lamp will flash continuously.
Avoiding unintentional alarms
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion
sensor may be switched off at the same
time. You can do this to prevent a false
alarm from being triggered in garages with
elevator ramps, for instance, or when the
vehicle is transported by trailer or train:
Lock, i.e. arm twice. Press the but-
ton on the remote control twice in succes-
sion, refer to page 27, or lock twice with
the key, refer to page 30.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and
then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm
sensor and the interior motion sensor are switched off as long as the system is
armed.
Interior motion sensor
In
order for the interior motion sensor to
function properly, the windows and glass
roof must be completely closed.
However, switch the interior motion sensor
off, refer to Avoiding unintentional alarms, if
>children or animals are to remain in the
vehicle
>the windows or glass roof are to remain
open.
Windows
Opening and closing windows
As of ignition key position 1:
>Press the switch up to the resistance
point:
The window continues to move down-
ward as long as you continue to hold
the switch
>Briefly press the switch beyond the
resistance point:
The window moves downward auto-
matically. Press the switch again to
stop the opening movement.
You can close the windows in the same
manner by pulling the switch.
After switching off the ignition
You can still operate the windows:
>In the radio position for a longer time
>For approx. 1 minute in position 0 or
with the ignition key removed.

Controls
39Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
6.Select "After unlocking" or "After door
is opened" and press the controller.
displays the selected setting.
When using this Key Memory feature,
always make sure that the footwell
behind the driver's seat is empty and unob-
structed. If you fail to do so, any persons or
objects behind the seat could be injured or
damaged by a rearward movement of the
seat.<
Safety feature
1.Close the driver's door and turn the
ignition key to position 0 or 2
2.Press the desired memory button 1 or 2
and maintain pressure until the adjust-
ment process has been completed.
If the
MEMORY button is pressed acciden-
tally:
Press the button a second time, the indica-
tor lamp goes out.
Passenger-side exterior mirror tilt
function*
Automatic curb monitor
1.Select the exterior mirror on the driver
side with the switch
2.When you engage reverse gear or
selector-lever position R, the exterior mirror on the front passenger side tilts
downward slightly. This allows the
driver to see the area immediately adja-
cent to the vehicle Ð such as a curb Ð
when parking, etc.
You can also deactivate this automatic
function: push the mirror selector switch to
the passenger's mirror position.
Head restraints
Head restraints reduce the risk of spi-
nal injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraints so that they are
centered roughly at the level of your ears.<
Front seats: adjusting the height
You can adjust the height of the head
restraints electrically.
Front seats: adjusting the angle
Swivel the head restraint.
With the comfort seat, you use the shoulder
support to set the distance to the back of
the head.

Controls
43Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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 38.
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
Both exterior mirrors are automatically
heated in ignition key position 2.
Interior rearview mirror
To reduce the dazzle effect of following
vehicles at night, turn the knob beneath the
mirror.
Interior and exterior mirrors,
automatic dimming feature*
These mirrors automatically respond to
ambient light and headlamp glare from fol-lowing 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, 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
engage reverse gear or place the selector
lever into position R.
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.<
Steering wheel adjustment
Do not adjust the steering wheel while
the vehicle is moving. There is a risk
of accident from unexpected movement.<
The steering wheel can be adjusted in any
of four directions by pressing the appropri-
ate end of the button.
Storing steering wheel positions, refer to
Seat, mirror and steering wheel memory on
page 38.
Automatic steering wheel
adjustment
In conjunction with seat, mirror and steer-
ing wheel memory.
The steering wheel automatically moves as
high up and far forward as possible to ease
driver entry and exit before then returning

Controls
45Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Children always in the rear
Accident research shows that the safest
place for children in a vehicle is in the rear
seat.
Older children should be tightly secured
with a safety belt, after they have outgrown
a booster seat that is appropriate for their
age, height and weight.
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 posi-
tioned at all times and do not place their
heads on or near the side airbag. There-
fore, we recommend that the rear side air-
bags, if provided, be deactivated if you plan
to transport children in the rear seat.<
Deactivating the rear seat side
airbags
The rear seat side airbags may already
have been deactivated by a BMW center.
Labels in the rear door opening should indi-
cate the status of your rear seat side air-
bags. If you are uncertain of their status, or
wish to have the airbags activated or deac-
tivated, please contact your BMW center.
Child-restraint system in the rear
Children under 13 years of age and
children less than 5 ft/150 cm tall
should always ride in the rear and the
restraint systems should be secured with
the vehicle's safety belts.<
Younger children should be secured in an
appropriate forward-facing child-restraint
system that has first been properly
restrained. We strongly urge you to care-
fully read and comply with the instructions for installation and use provided by the
child restraintÕs manufacturer whenever
you use such a device.
All rear sitting positions in your vehicle
meet the recommendations of SAE J1819,
an industry-recommended practice for
securing child-restraint systems in motor
vehicles.
Exception for the front passenger
seat
Should it become necessary to use a
child-restraint system on the front
passenger seat, the airbags on the passen-
ger's side must be deactivated. The pas-
senger airbag indicator lamp above the
interior rearview mirror must light up con-
tinuously. Otherwise, the front passenger
airbags remain active and there is consid-
erable risk of injury to children if the airbags
are triggered, even with a child-restraint
system. In this case, children should be
seated in the rear and the system should be
checked at your BMW center.<
Never install a rearward-facing child-
restraint system in the front passen-
ger seat of this vehicle if the passenger air-
bag is not deactivated. If you do so, the
child could be severely injured when the
airbag is triggered.
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 air-
bag's deployment range, you should never
mount such a system in the front passenger
seat, since the impact of the airbag against
the child restraint's backrest could lead to
serious or fatal injuries.<
More information on automatic deactiva-
tion of the front passenger airbags, refer to
page 83.

Controls
57Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Wiper system
1Normal wiper speed: briefly press once.
The system automatically reverts to
operation in the intermittent mode
whenever the vehicle stops.
Fast wiper speed: briefly press twice or
press beyond the resistance point.
The system automatically reverts to
operation in the standard wipe mode
whenever the vehicle stops
2To switch off wipers or for brief wipe
3To activate/deactivate rain sensor
4To clean windshield and headlamps
5To adjust rain sensor sensitivity level
The lever automatically returns to its initial
position when released.
Cleaning the windshield and
headlamps*
The system sprays washer fluid against the
windshield and activates the wipers for a
brief period.
When the vehicle lighting system is
switched on, the headlamps are also
cleaned at regular and appropriate inter-
vals.
Do not use the washers if there is any
danger that the fluid will freeze on the
windshield. If you do so, your vision could
be obscured. To avoid freezing, use a
washer fluid antifreeze, refer to Washer
fluid.
Avoid activating the washer when the
reservoir is empty, as damage to the pump
could result.<
Windshield washer nozzles
The windshield washer nozzles are auto-
matically heated in ignition key position 2.
Rain sensor
The rain sensor controls windshield wipe
operation depending on the amount of rain.
The rain sensor is located on the wind-
shield, directly in front of the interior rear-
view mirror.
Activating the rain sensor
As of ignition key position 1, briefly press
the button. The indicator lamp in the button
lights up. The wipers will always respond
by completing at least one sweep of the
windshield.
Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level
Turn the serrated dial 5.
Deactivating the rain sensor
Briefly press the button again. The indica-
tor lamp goes out.
The rain sensor is automatically deacti-
vated when you switch off the ignition.
Deactivate the rain sensor when
passing through an automatic car
wash. Failure to do so could result in dam-
age caused by undesired wiper activa-
tion.<
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable.
Always keep it well away from sparks
and open flames, and store it in tightly
closed containers well out of the reach of

Reference 207
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control 78
Exhaust system, refer to
High temperatures 106
Exterior mirrors 42
Ð automatic dimming
feature 43
F
"Fader", audio systems 132
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control 68
False alarms, refer to
Avoiding unintentional
alarms 33
False alarms with the Flat
Tire Monitor 80
Fastening safety belts, refer
to Safety belt
Ð indicator lamp 40
"Fastest route" for
navigation 121
Fastest route for
navigation 121
First aid, refer to First aid
kit 191
First aid kit 191
Fitting for towing 193
Flashlight, refer to
Rechargeable
flashlight 98
Flash when locking/
unlocking 28
Flat tire
Ð compact wheel 187
Ð Flat Tire Monitor 81
Ð refer also to Changing a
wheel 187
Ð refer also to Tire
condition 173
Ð run-flat tires 81, 175
Flat Tire Monitor 80
Ð false alarms 80
Ð indicator lamp 81
Ð initializing the system 81
Ð malfunctions 82
Floods, refer to Water on
the road 107"FM", waveband 130, 134
FM, waveband 134
Fog lamps 89
Ð indicator lamp 89
Fold down rear seat 101
Folding rear seat back 101
Footwell lamps 89
Forward, fast
Ð CD changer 146
Ð CD player 142
For your own safety 6
Front airbags 83
Front armrest 98
Front head restraints 40
Front seat adjustment 36
Front-to-rear adjustment in
Audio mode 132
"FTM" 81
Fuel 169
Ð display 66
Ð quality 169
Ð tank volume 66
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge 66
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge 66
Fuel filler door 168
Ð releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction 168
Fuel specifications 169
Fuses 189
G
Garage door opener, refer
to Integrated universal
remote control 96
Gasoline, refer to Fuel
quality 169
Gasoline display, refer to
Fuel gauge 66
Gear changes, refer to
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic 55
Gear display 54
Gearshift lever
Ð automatic transmission
with Steptronic 55
Ð manual transmission 51
Ð Sequential manual
transmission SMG 51General car care, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
General driving notes 106
Glass roof, electrical 34
Ð closing in the event of an
electrical defect 35
Ð convenience operation 29
Ð remote control 28
Glove compartment 98
Ð lighting 98
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system 114
Grilles of the automatic
climate control 90
Gross vehicle weight, refer
to Weights 200
H
Halogen lamps 185
Handbrake 50
Ð indicator lamp 50
Hands-free unit 151
Hazard warning flashers 14
Head airbags 83
Headlamp control,
automatic 87
Headlamp flasher 56
Headlamps 87
Ð care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Ð replacing the bulbs 185
Headlamp washers 57
Head Light, refer to
Adaptive Head Light 88
Head restraints 39
Ð front 39
Ð front, active 40
Ð rear 40
"Head-Up Display" 44
Head-Up Display 85
Heated mirrors 43
Heated rear window 91
Heated seats 41
Heated steering wheel 44
"Heated steering wheel on /
off" 44
Heater, rear window 91

Reference 209
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Lighting
Ð instruments 88
Ð of the vehicle, refer to
Lamps 87
Lighting of the instruments,
refer to Instrument
lighting 88
Lights, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams 87
Lights on warning 87
Light switch 87
Limit speed, refer to
Limit 72
Loading
Ð securing the load 109
Ð stowing cargo 109
Ð vehicle 108
"Lock after driving off" 30
"Lock button" 28
Locking
Ð from inside 30
Ð from outside 28
Locking and unlocking
doors
Ð from inside 30
Ð from outside 27
Ð setting confirmation
signals 28
"LOGIC7", audio
systems 132
Low beams 87
Ð automatic 87
Ð replacing the bulbs 185
Lower back support, refer
to Lumbar support 38
Lug bolts 188
Ð wrench 187
Luggage compartment 31
Ð capacity 200
Ð locking separately 31
Ð opening/closing, refer to
Luggage compartment
lid 31
Ð opening from the
inside 31
Ð opening from the
outside 31
Ð opening with remote
control 28
Ð socket 100
Ð volume 200Luggage compartment
lid 31
Ð emergency release from
inside luggage
compartment 32
Ð locking separately 31
Ð manual operation 31
Ð opening from the
inside 31
Ð opening from the
outside 31
Ð opening with remote
control 28
Ð unlocking manually 31
Luggage rack, refer to
Roof-mounted luggage
rack 109
Lumbar support 38
LW, waveband 134
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires 175
Maintenance, refer also to
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for
US models or Warranty
and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian
models
Maintenance system 181
Malfunction
Ð automatic
transmission 56
Ð Sequential manual
transmission SMG 53
Malfunction warnings, refer
to Check Control 68
Manually controlled
recirculated air 91
"Manual" on the radio 135
Manual operation
Ð door lock 29
Ð fuel filler door 168
Ð glass roof 35
Ð luggage compartment
lid 31
Manual operation with
automatic
transmission 55Manual release, refer to
Manual operation
Manual station tuning 135
Manual transmission 51
"Map, arrow display" 123
"Map, direction of
travel" 124
"Map, facing north" 124
Maximum cooling 91
Maximum roof weight 200
Maximum speed
Ð for winter tires 175
Ð with compact wheel 188
Memory
Ð refer to Key Memory 26
Ð refer to Seat, mirror and
steering wheel
memory 38
Menus, refer to Control
Center 16
Message list of traffic
information 126
Microphone for hands-free
system 151
Mirrors 42
Ð automatic curb
monitor 39
Ð dimming feature 43
Ð heating 43
Ð memory, refer to Seat,
mirror and steering wheel
memory 38
"Missed calls" 155
Missed calls 154
Mobile communications in
the vehicle 108
Mobile Service, refer to
Roadside Assistance 191
Monitor, refer to Control
Center 16
"Monitor display on" 77
Monitoring inflation
pressure, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor 80
Multifunction switch
Ð refer to Turn signal
indicators/headlamp
flasher 56
Ð refer to Wiper/washer
system 57