2004 BMW 525I SEDAN warning lights

Adjustments
40
Comfort seat
Setting the side extensions
You can fold the side extensions on the
head restraint forward for increased lateral
support.
Front head restraints, active*
The comfort seats are equipped with an
active head restraint.
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 com-
ply with the following:
>Adjust the head restraints so that they
are centered roughly at the level of your
ears
>Do not install seat or head-restraint
covers
>Never use the head restraints as sup-
ports for suspending objects of any
kind, such as clothes hangers. Refrain
from mounting accessories on either
the seat or the head restraint.<
Rear seats: adjusting the height
>Upwards: by pulling
>Downwards: press the button, arrow 1,
and press the head restraint down-
wards.
Safety belts
Fastening
Make sure you hear the latch plate engage
in the belt buckle.
Please fasten safety belts warning
lamp:
Lights up until the driver and front
passenger have fastened their seat belts.
Depending on the model, a signal
* sounds
or a message
* appears on the Control Dis-
play at the same time.

Driving
50 lever in idle position and apply the hand-
brake.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the
engine running, as such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
Automatic transmission
1.Press the brake pedal
2.Place the selector lever in position P
or N
3.Start the engine.
To prevent the vehicle from rolling,
always select position P or N and
engage the handbrake before leaving the
vehicle with the engine running.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the
engine running, as such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
Sequential manual transmission
SMG
1.Press the brake pedal
2.Place the selector lever in the idle posi-
tion N
3.Start the engine.
If the engine does not start, engage
the last gear selected, refer to Display
in the instrument cluster, and return the
selector lever to the idle position N.<
Before leaving the vehicle with the
engine running, place the selector
lever in position N and apply the hand-
brake.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the
engine running, as such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
Switching off engine
Do not remove the ignition key while
the vehicle is rolling, as otherwise the
steering wheel lock would engage while
steering.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove
the ignition key and lock the steering.
When parking on downward inclines, apply
the handbrake.<
Manual transmission
Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Automatic transmission
1.Engage selector-lever position P
2.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Sequential manual transmission
SMG
If the selector lever is in position R or in the
sequential mode and you turn the ignition
key to position 1 or 0, the gear remains
engaged automatically.
If the selector lever is in the idle position N
and you turn the ignition key to position 1
or 0, an acoustic signal and the flashing
gear indicator in the display reminds you
that the vehicle is not secured against roll-
ing away.
The warning stops sounding after approx.
9 seconds.
When parking on downward inclines,
apply the handbrake. Engaging a gear
is not sufficient to secure the vehicle from
rolling away under certain circumstances.<
Handbrake
The handbrake is primarily intended to pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling while parked; it
brakes the rear wheels.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up with
the handbrake applied, and an
acoustic signal also sounds when
starting off.
Indicator lamp for Canadian mod-
els.
Applying
The lever locks into place automatically;
the indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up in ignition key position 2.

Controls
53Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
towards D or change the current gear using
the shift paddles or selector lever.
Gear changes
Using selector lever
>To shift up, briefly press the selector
lever towards +
>To shift down, briefly press towards Ñ.
Using shift paddles on steering
wheel
>To shift up, pull one of the shift paddles
>To shift down, press.
You accelerate from higher gears, e.g.
when overtaking, by shifting down manu-
ally.
In the following situations, the SMG in the
sequential mode assists you:
>Upshifts and downshifts are executed
only when they will result in a plausible
combination of engine and vehicle
speed; thus, for example, a downshift
that would cause the engine to overrev
will not be executed by the system
>When the vehicle is stopped, the trans-
mission automatically downshifts into
first gear
>Shortly before dropping below a gear-
dependent minimum speed, the trans-
mission downshifts automatically even
without your intervention.
Display in the instrument cluster
Gear display
R N 1 2 3 4 5 6
D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6
The gear currently selected, the selected
shifting mode and, if applicable, malfunc-
tions are displayed in the instrument clus-
ter.
Malfunctions
Indicator lamp
If the indicator lamp lights up, a
malfunction has occurred in the
transmission system.
While it will remain still possible to move
the selector lever to any desired position,
the transmission will revert to operation in
its default mode with only a limited number
of forward gears.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine loads
and consult the nearest BMW center.
Warning tone
In case of overheating in the area of the
transmission, an acoustic signal indicates
that you should stop or start off quickly if
possible so that the system can cool down
again.
Information on jump-starting and towing
begins on page 192.

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
76
Technology for comfort, convenience
and safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
The PDC assists you when you are parking.
Signal tones indicate the current distance
to an object behind or in front of your vehi-
cle. Four ultrasonic sensors in both the
bumpers monitor the distance to the near-
est object. The sensors at the front and at
the two rear corners have a range of
approx. 1.64 ft/50 cm; the rear middle sen-
sors have approx. 5 ft/1.50 m.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate
objects when they are approached
slowly, as is usually the case when parking.
Avoid approaching an object at high speed,
as otherwise the physical circumstances
would mean that the system warning was
too late.<
Automatic function
In ignition key position 2, the system auto-
matically assumes operational status after
a few seconds each time you engage
reverse gear or selector-lever position R.
Wait this short period before revers-
ing.<
Manual activation
Press the button, the indicator lamp lights
up.
Manual deactivation
Press the button again; the indicator lamp
goes out.
Automatic deactivation
The system is automatically deactivated
once the vehicle travels approx. 165 ft/
50 m or exceeds a speed of roughly
20 mph/30 km/h; the indicator lamp goes
out. You can reactivate the system manu-
ally as needed.
Signal tones
The signal indicating the distance to the
nearest obstacle is directional. Thus, an
object detected to the left rear of the vehi-
cle will be indicated by a signal tone from
the left rear speaker, etc. As the distance
between vehicle and object decreases, the
intervals between the tones become
shorter. The signal tone becomes continu-
ous once the distance to the nearest object
falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm.
The warning signal is canceled after
approx. 3 seconds when the distance to an
object remains constant during this time,
if you are moving parallel to a wall, for
instance.
Malfunctions
The indicator lamp within the button
flashes and a message appears on the
Control Display. Please note any supple-
mentary information that appears there.
Switch the system off and have the cause
of the malfunction corrected by your BMW
center.
PDC with visual warning*
You also enjoy the option of having the sys-
tem show distances to objects on the Con-
trol Display for the specific key in use. The
Control Display will also indicate the pres-

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
78
CBC Cornering Brake Control
CBC is a supplement to ABS. It provides
further enhancements in vehicle stability
and steering response during lane changes
and cornering at high rates of lateral accel-
eration.
EBV Electronic Brake Force
Distribution
EBV controls the brake system's applica-
tion pressure at the rear wheels to ensure
stable deceleration.
In case of malfunction
If the brake system warning lamp
lights up in red, appearing together
with the yellow indicator lamps for
ABS and DSC:
The driving stability control has
failed.
If all three lamps light up yellow:
Fault in the driving stability control.
The EBV electronic brake-force distribution
is active.
While you may continue, you should
remember to proceed cautiously and drive
defensively while avoiding full brake appli-
cations.
Please have the system checked at the
nearest BMW center.
If a message appears on the Control Dis-
play, please note the supplementary infor-
mation.
You can find more information on the
Check Control starting on page 68.
Indicator and warning lamps for
Canadian models.
Driving stability control/
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control
The concept
DSC maintains vehicle stability, even in
critical driving situations.
The DSC is operational every time you start
the engine. DSC includes the functionality
of the DTC Dynamic Traction Control and
DBC Dynamic Brake Control, refer to
page 79.
The system optimizes vehicle stability dur-
ing acceleration and when starting from a
full stop, as well as optimizing traction. The
system recognizes any tendency for the
vehicle to assume an unstable attitude
such as oversteer or understeer; it then
counteracts this tendency with a combina-
tion of graduated reductions in engine
torque and selective braking intervention at
individual wheels. DSC provides optimal
stability within the limits defined by the
laws of physics.
Indicator lamps
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out soon after you start
the engine.
If the indicator lamp flashes:
DSC is regulating the drive and braking
forces.
If the indicator lamp lights up permanently:
DSC has been switched off using the but-
ton.
If the indicator lamp and the brake
warning lamp light up permanently:
Malfunction in DSC, DTC and DBC.
When the system is off, the stability main-
tenance functions described above are no
longer available. The vehicle will remain
completely operational, however, without
DSC.
Please respond to any malfunctions by
referring the problem to your BMW center.

Controls
79Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Indicator and warning lamps for
Canadian models.
DTC Dynamic Traction Control
In special driving states, e.g. in deep snow,
DTC ensures maximum forward momen-
tum. The gain in forward momentum also
involves a reduction in driving stability.
DTC is active up to 45 mph/70 km/h.
Activating DTC
Press the DSC button briefly; the
DTC indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up permanently.
You may find it useful to briefly activate
DTC under the following special circum-
stances:
>When rocking the vehicle and starting
off in deep snow or on loose road sur-
faces
>When ascending snow-covered hills,
and when driving in deep or on hard-
packed snow
>When driving with snow chains.
When DTC is active, DSC provides
only limited system response up to a
speed of approx. 45 mph/70 km/h. Control
intervention for stability-enhancement is
reduced.<
Deactivating DTC again
Press the DSC button again; the DTC indi-
cator lamp in the instrument cluster goes
out. DSC is available once again without
restriction.
Deactivating DSC
Press the DSC button for at least 3 sec-
onds; the DSC indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up permanently. DSC is
deactivated.
Deactivating DSC automatically deacti-
vates DTC as well. The systems for
enhancing stability and traction are deacti-
vated, and there is no active braking inter-
vention or torque control.
A message appears on the Control Display.
Please note any supplementary information
that appears there.
To maintain optimal stability, drive
with the system on whenever possi-
ble.<
Reactivating DSC
Press the DSC button again briefly; the
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
goes out. DSC is now activated.
The laws of physics cannot be
repealed, even with DSC. An appro-
priate driving style always remains the
responsibility of the driver. Therefore, do
not reduce the additional safety margin
again by taking risks.
Do not make any modifications to the DSC
system. Never allow anyone other than
authorized professional technicians to
carry out service or repairs on the DSC sys-
tem.<
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this
system automatically produces the maxi-
mum braking force boost and thus helps to
achieve the shortest possible braking dis-

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
80 tance during panic stops. This system
exploits all of the benefits provided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake
pedal for the duration of the brake applica-
tion. When the brake pedal is released,
DBC is deactivated.
In the event of a malfunction, the
warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up yellow.
Have the system checked and repaired at
your BMW center as soon as possible.
Please note any information that appears
on the Control Display.
Warning lamp for Canadian models.
Active roll stabilization*
The concept
Active roll stabilization minimizes body roll
and optimizes vehicle stability during cor-
nering and evasive maneuvers.
Dynamic stabilizers at the front and rear
axles form the basis for active roll stabiliza-
tion. Suspension compliance adapts to suit
driving conditions, varying from perfor-
mance-oriented during cornering to
smooth and comfort-oriented when the
vehicle is proceeding in a straight line.
The system assumes operational status
each time you start the engine.
Driving with active roll stabilization
During vehicle operation, the system con-
tinuously runs through closed-loop control
cycles lasting only fractions of a second.
In case of malfunction
The symbol in the instrument clus-
ter lights up and a message
appears on the Control Display.
Please note any supplementary information
that appears there.
You can find more information on the
Check Control starting on page 68. If the active roll stabilization system is
deactivated in response to malfunc-
tion, please remember to adapt your speed
accordingly, especially in curves.
The suspension will be noticeably softer
and the vehicle will display a greater ten-
dency to tilt during cornering and in cross-
winds.
If a message stating that you should stop
appears on the Control Display in addition
to the red symbol, stop immediately and
switch off the engine. In this case the oil
level in the reservoir may have dropped
below the minimum, possibly owing to a
leak in the hydraulic system.
Please note any supplementary information
that appears on the Control Display.<
Flat Tire Monitor
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the
inflation pressures in the four fitted tires as
you drive. The system provides an alert
whenever the inflation pressure drops sig-
nificantly in relation to the pressure in
another tire.
The check of the tire inflation pressure is
based on monitoring the relative speeds of
the wheels. A flat tire is detected and
reported on the basis of a deviation in cer-
tain speed ratios.
Functional requirement
So that the Flat Tire Monitor can learn the
correct inflation pressure, please perform
the following:
1.Check the inflation pressures in all tires
2.Compare with the inflation pressure
table on page 170 and correct if neces-
sary
3.Initialize the system.
Limits of the system
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot indicate
sudden severe tire damage caused
by outside factors and does not detect a

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
82
System malfunctions
Indicator lamp
The symbol in the instrument clus-
ter lights up yellow and a message
appears on the Control Display.
Please contact your BMW center.
Please note any supplementary information
that appears on the Control Display.
Active steering*
The concept
The active steering is a system that actively
varies the steering angle of the front wheels
in relation to the steering wheel move-
ments.
When you are driving in the low road speed
range, e.g. in a town or when parking, the
steering angle is reinforced, i.e. the steer-
ing becomes very direct and significantly
improves the handling capability of your
BMW.
In the higher road speed range, on the
other hand, the steering angle is reduced,
also optimizing the handling capability.
In critical situations, the system can make
targeted changes to the steering angle pro-
vided by the driver and thus stabilize the
vehicle before the driver intervenes.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up perma-
nently: malfunction in the system.
Please have the system inspected
at your BMW center.
Conventional steering efficiency remains
available without limitations.
Brake Force Display
The Brake Force Display indicates the
intensity with which you are applying your
brakes to drivers of following vehicles. The display consists of two stages:
>Normal braking:
The brake lamps in the tail assemblies
and the high-mount brake lamp on top
of the rear window light up during brak-
ing
>Heavy braking and braking with ABS:
The tail lamps also light up with the
same intensity as the standard brake
lamp units to enhance the warning
effect of the brake lamps.