2004 BMW 645CI COUPE&CONVERTIBLE steering wheel

Adjustments
50
Operating function
Briefly press the corresponding button on
the steering wheel.
Voice instructions of navigation system:
>Switch voice instructions on/off:
Maintain pressure on the button for
several seconds
>Repeat the last voice instruction:
Briefly press the button
>To prevent the navigation system from
interrupting other audio sources, such
as a news program or traffic bulletin,
you can cancel the voice instructions:
Press the button briefly during an
instruction.

Driving
54
Driving
Ignition lock
0 Steering locked
The key can only be inserted or removed in
this position.
After removing the key, turn the steering
wheel slightly until it locks.
Interlock on automatic transmission
>Only move the selector lever from
position P with the engine running
>To turn the key back to position 0 or to
remove it, first select the selector lever
position P.
1 Steering unlocked
A slight steering wheel movement often
makes it easier to turn the key from 0 to 1.
Individual current consumers are ready for
operation.
2 Ignition switched on
All vehicle systems are ready for operation.
3 Start engine
Starting engine
Do not run the engine in closed
rooms, as otherwise the inhaling of
toxic exhaust gases can cause uncon-
sciousness and death. The exhaust gases
contain carbon monoxide, an odorless and
colorless, but highly toxic gas.Never leave an unattended vehicle with the
engine running, as such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.
To prevent the vehicle from rolling, always
select idle position or position N and apply
the handbrake before leaving the vehicle
with the engine running.<
When starting the engine, do not press the
accelerator 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.
Special starting conditions
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
>the engine is started at very low tem-
peratures, below approx. + 57/–156,
at high altitudes, over 3,300 ft/1,000 m.
Avoid frequent starting in quick suc-
cession or repeated start attempts in
which the engine does not start. Otherwise,
the fuel is not burned or inadequately
burned and there is a danger of overheat-
ing and damaging the catalytic converter.<
Manual transmission
1.Apply the handbrake
2.Gearshift lever in idle position
3.Press the clutch pedal
If the clutch pedal is not
depressed, the engine will not
start.<
4.Start the engine.
Do not terminate the starting operation
too early, but after approx. 20 seconds
at the latest. When the engine starts, let
go of the ignition key immediately.

Controls
55Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
SMG Sequential manual
transmission and automatic
transmission
Your BMW is equipped with the conve-
nience starting feature. Here, it is sufficient
to turn the ignition key only briefly to posi-
tion 3 'Start engine' and to let go of it right
away. The system responds by automati-
cally engaging the starter for a certain
period and allowing it to run until the engine
starts, after which it then disengages auto-
matically.
SMG Sequential manual
transmission
1.Press the brake pedal
2.Engage selector-lever position N
3.Start the engine.
If the engine does not start, engage
the last gear selected again, refer to
instrument cluster display, and then
engage selector-lever position N.<
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic
1.Press the brake pedal
2.Engage selector-lever position P or N
3.Start the engine.
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, remove the igni-
tion key and lock the steering.
When parking on a downhill incline, apply
the handbrake, as otherwise the vehicle
could roll away.<
Manual transmission
1.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0
2.Engage first or reverse gear.
SMG Sequential manual
transmission
1.Engage a drive position
2.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
A signal sounds if the idle position N is
engaged on stopping the engine.
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic
1.Engage selector-lever position P
2.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
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, and an
acoustic signal also sounds when
starting off. The handbrake is
engaged.
Indicator lamp for Canadian mod-
els.
Engaging
The lever locks into place automatically;
the indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up as of ignition key position 1.
Releasing
Pull slightly upwards, press the button and
lower the lever.
If exceptional circumstances should
make it necessary to engage the
handbrake while the vehicle is in motion,

Driving
56 do not pull it too strongly. In doing so, con-
tinuously press the button of the handbrake
lever.
Strong application of the handbrake can
lead to overbraking of the rear axle and
associated 'fishtailing' of the vehicle rear
end.
The brake lamps do not light up when the
handbrake is engaged.
Vehicles with manual or SMG transmission:
When parking on inclines, engage the
handbrake, as even engaging the first or
reverse gear might not under certain cir-
cumstances secure the vehicle against
moving.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Engage selector-lever position P.<
To prevent corrosion and one-sided
braking action, occasionally engage
the handbrake lightly when the vehicle is
slowly coming to a standstill if the traffic
conditions are suitable.<
Manual transmission
While shifting gear in the 5th/6th gear
level, press the gearshift lever to the
right, as otherwise engine damage could
occur from inadvertently engaging a gear in
the 3rd/4th gear level.
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle with the
clutch; use the handbrake. Otherwise there
is high clutch wear.<
Reverse gear
Select only when the vehicle is completely
stationary. When pressing the gearshift
lever to the left, overcome some resis-
tance.The backup lamps automatically switch on
in ignition key position 2.
SMG Sequential manual
transmission*
The concept
The SMG Sequential manual transmission
is an automated manual transmission in
which an electro-hydraulic system handles
the clutching and gear changes.
You operate the SMG using the selector
lever in the center console and two shift
paddles on the steering wheel.
It offers the following functions:
>Choice of manual or automatic mode:
Sequential mode or Drive mode
>Options of two drive programs:
Normal or Sport, refer to page 59
>Protection against incorrect gearshifts
and automatic shift down at minimum
engine speed, also in the Sequential
mode
>Kickdown function in the Drive mode
>Acceleration assistant, refer to
page 60.
The SMG is operational in ignition key posi-
tion 2.
Selector-lever positions
The current selector-lever position is dis-
played on the center console.
>R: Reverse gear
>N: Neutral, idle

Controls
57Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
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Mobility
>One-touch function for Sequential
mode
+: manual upshifts
—: manual downshifts
>D: Drive mode.
N is automatically engaged if the
driver's door is opened with the
engine running and neither pedals, shift
paddles nor the selector lever are oper-
ated.
This is indicated by an acoustic signal and
the flashing display N in the instrument
cluster.<
Gear display
R N 1 to 6
The currently engaged gear is displayed, in
the Drive mode preceded by a D.
Shiftlock
Press the brake pedal before shifting out
of N; the shift command will not be exe-
cuted unless the brake is applied.
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is completely
stationary.
Sequential mode
After every engine start, as soon as the
selector lever is pushed to the right and the
brake pedal is pressed, the Sequential
mode is activated.
The gear is changed using the shift paddles
or selector lever.
Driving off is also possible in second gear,
e.g. when the roadway is icy.
D Drive mode
In the Drive mode, all forward gears are
shifted automatically.
To switch from Sequential to Drive mode:
Briefly press the selector lever to the right
towards D.
Kickdown:
For rapid acceleration, e.g. overtaking,
press the accelerator pedal as far down as
it will go: you achieve maximum accelera-
tion.
To switch back to the Sequential mode:
briefly press the selector lever back to the
right towards D or change the current gear
using the shift paddles or selector lever.
Start off quickly on slopes. Do not
hold the vehicle on a hill by applying
the throttle, but engage the handbrake
instead. Otherwise overheating can occur
in the area of the transmission.<
Gear changes
Using selector lever
>To shift up, briefly press the selector
lever towards +
>To shift down, briefly press towards —.
Using shift paddles on steering
wheel
>To shift up, pull one of the shift paddles
>To shift down, press.
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

Controls
59Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
P Parking
Select only when the vehicle is completely
stationary. The rear wheels are blocked.
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is completely
stationary.
N Neutral
E.g. engage in car washes. The vehicle can
roll.
D Drive, automatic position
Position for normal vehicle operation.
All forward gears are available.
Under normal operating conditions, fuel
consumption is lowest when driving in
position D.
Kickdown
The kickdown mode provides maximum
acceleration:
Press the accelerator pedal beyond the
full-throttle resistance point.
M/S manual operation and
Sport program
Move the selector lever from position D to
the left into gearshift gate M/S:
The sport program is activated and DS
appears in the instrument cluster.
This position is recommended for a perfor-
mance-oriented driving style. It is engaged
automatically when the Dynamic Driving
Control is activated, see below.
When the selector lever is moved slightly
towards + or –, the Steptronic shifts gear
and manual operation is activated. The
instrument cluster shows M1 through M6.Upshifts and downshifts are executed only
when they will result in a plausible combi-
nation of engine and vehicle speed; thus,
for example, a downshift that would cause
the engine to overrev will not be executed
by the system. The selected gear appears
briefly in the instrument cluster, followed by
the current gear.
To use the automatic function again, move
the selector lever to the right into posi-
tion D.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up and a
message appears on the Control
Display. There is a malfunction in
the transmission system. Avoid heavy
loads.
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.
Have the system checked as soon as pos-
sible.
Towing, refer to page, 185, jump-starting,
refer to page 185.
Dynamic Driving Control
The Dynamic Driving Control makes it pos-
sible for your BMW to react in an even more
sports-oriented manner at the push of a
button:
>The engine responds more spontane-
ously to accelerator pedal movements
>The steering conveys a feeling of even
better contact with the road surface
>Cruise control:
The stored speed you call up is reached
more quickly.
Additionally with SMG:
>Gearshifts are faster
>The engine speed range is used opti-
mally in the Drive mode.
With automatic transmission:
>The Sport program is activated.

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
76 indicate the presence of objects in green
before they are close enough to generate a
signal tone.
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page 16:
1.Press button.
The start menu is opened
2.Press the controller to open the menu
3.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the
controller
4.Select "PDC" and press the controller
5.Select "Monitor display on" and press
the controller.
The PDC screen is activated.
The display appears on the Control Display
as soon as PDC is activated.
Depending on which key you have used to
open the vehicle, the last adjustment is
applied.
System limits
Even with PDC, final responsibility for
estimating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstructions always
remains with the driver. Even when sensors
are involved, there is a blind spot in which objects cannot be detected. The system is
also subject to the physical limits that apply
to all forms of ultrasonic measurement,
such as those encountered with thin and
wedge-shaped objects, etc. Low objects
already displayed, e.g. a curb, can also dis-
appear from the detection area of the sen-
sors again before a continuous tone
sounds.
Loud noises from outside and inside your
vehicle may prevent you from hearing the
PDC signal tone.<
Do not apply high pressure spray to
the sensors for a prolonged period of
time. Keep the spray at least 4 in/10 cm
away from the sensors.<
Driving stability control
systems
Your BMW is equipped with an extended
array of systems designed to enhance and
maintain vehicle stability under extreme
conditions. The following section describes
these functions based on ABS and DSC.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS enhances active safety by preventing
the wheels from locking under braking.
ABS is operational every time you start the
engine. ABS includes the functions CBC
Cornering Brake Control and EBV Elec-
tronic brake-force distribution.
CBC Cornering Brake Control
It provides further enhancements in vehicle
stability and steering response during lane
changes and cornering at high rates of lat-
eral acceleration.
EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution
EBV controls the brake system's applica-
tion pressure at the rear wheels to ensure
stable deceleration.

Controls
77Reference
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Communications
Navigation
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Mobility
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC optimizes vehicle stability during
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.
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, see below.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp goes out soon
after you start the engine.
The indicator lamp flashes:
DSC controls the drive and braking forces.
The indicator lamp stays lit:
DSC has been switched off via the button.
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 approx. 45 mph/
70 km/h, whereas DSC is only effective to
a limited degree.
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.
Activating DTC
>Press the DSC button briefly; the DTC
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up continuously.
Deactivating DTC again
Press the DSC button briefly again; the
DTC indicator lamp in the instrument clus-
ter goes out.
Switching off DSC
Press the DSC button until the DSC indica-
tor light in the instrument cluster lights up
continuously, however not longer than
approx. 10 seconds. DSC and DTC are
deactivated. In addition, the stability pro-
moting intervention of the active steering is
deactivated, refer to page 80.
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 briefly; the indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster goes out.