2004 BMW 645CI COUPE Key

Controls
49Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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
to the standard position or stored memory
setting.
This automatic feature is governed by the
driver's door and the ignition lock.
Steering wheel heater*
In ignition key position 2, press the button.
The indicator lamp within the button lights
up when the steering wheel heater is in
operation.
Programming button function
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, an
individual function can be assigned to each
of the two programmable function buttons
in the steering wheel.
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page 16:
1.Open the menu
2.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the
controller
3.Select "Steering wheel buttons" and
press the controller.A list with different functions is dis-
played:
>"Navigation"
Voice instructions for the navigation
system
>"Air recirculation on / off"
In this mode, you can continuously
block the supply of outside air, refer
to AUC Automatic recirculated-air
control on page 89
>"Mute on / off"
Mutes the audio sources
>"Screen on / off"
Switches the Control Display on/off
>"Short cut / Telephone"
Display/hide phone book
>"Next entertainment source"
Changes audio source
4.Select the desired function
5.Press the controller
6.Select button if necessary
.
7.Press the controller.
Depending on which key you have used to
open the vehicle, the last adjustment is
applied.
You can operate the selected function
using the corresponding button.

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

Driving
60
Activating system
With ignition key in position 2
Press the SPORT button.
The LED in the button lights up and SPORT
is displayed in the instrument cluster.
Deactivating system
>Press the SPORT button again or
>engage reverse gear or
>switch off the engine.
The LED in the button and SPORT in the
instrument cluster go out.
Acceleration assistant with SMG
The acceleration assistant enables opti-
mized vehicle acceleration at racing car
level on road surfaces with good adhesion
when starting off.
Do not use the acceleration assistant
too often, as otherwise components
will wear prematurely.<
1.Activate the Dynamic Driving Control
2.Press the DSC button, refer to page 77,
for longer than three seconds
3.Press the accelerator pedal down fully:
kickdown. The ideal starting-off engine
speed is set.
To maintain driving stability, drive
with the DSC on whenever possible.<
Turn signals/
headlamp flasher
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Turn signals
Using turn signals
Move the lever beyond the resistance
point. It then returns to the center position
when released. Press the lever as far as the
resistance point to switch off the turn sig-
nals.
If the indicator lamp flashes faster
than usual, a turn signal has failed.<
Signaling briefly
Press the lever as far as the resistance
point and hold there if necessary. It then
returns to the center position when
released.
Triple turn signal activation
Press the lever as far as the resistance
point; the turn signals flash three times.
You can activate or deactivate this func-
tion.
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page 16:
1.Open the menu
2.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the
controller
3.Select "Lighting" and press the control-
ler
4.Select "Triple turn signal activation" and
press the controller.

Controls
61Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Triple turn signal activation is acti-
vated.
Wiper system
1Standard wiper speed: briefly press
once.
The system automatically reverts to
operation in the intermittent mode
whenever the vehicle is stationary.
Fast wipe: briefly press twice or press
beyond the resistance point.
The system automatically reverts to
operation in the standard wipe mode
whenever the vehicle is stationary
2Switching off wipers or for brief wipe
3Activating/deactivating rain sensor
4Cleaning windshield and headlamps
5Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level
The lever automatically returns to its initial
position when released.
Cleaning 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 res-
ervoir 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 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 rain sensor
Press the button again. The indicator lamp
goes out.
The rain sensor is automatically deacti-
vated when you switch off the ignition.

Everything under control
64
Everything under control
Odometer, outside
temperature display, clock
When the ignition is off you can briefly acti-
vate the time, outside temperature and
odometer displays by pressing the knob 3
at the lower left of the instrument cluster.
Outside temperature display, clock,
date 1
The outside temperature and the time are
displayed from ignition key position 1
onwards.
You can set the measurement unit 7 or 6
on the Control Display, refer to Measure-
ment units on page 72.
To call up the date:
Briefly press the CHECK button on the turn
indicator lever, refer to page 69.
Setting the time and date, refer to page 73.
Ice warning
A signal sounds when the outside temper-
ature falls to roughly +37.57/+36; this is
accompanied by a message.
Please bear in mind that the ice warn-
ing does nothing to alter the fact that
black ice may be present on roads at tem-
peratures higher than +37.57/+36, e.g.
on bridges and shaded roads.<
Odometer and trip odometer 2
To reset the trip odometer to zero:
Press button 3 in the instrument cluster.
Tachometer
The white-striped advance warning field,
arrow 1, changes depending on the engine
temperature. The segments disappear in
sequence as the engine warms to its nor-
mal operating temperature.
Avoid allowing the engine speed to rise as
far as the advance warning field whenever
possible.
Engine speeds in the red warning field,
arrow 2, must be avoided.
In this range, the fuel supply is interrupted
to protect the engine.

Controls
65Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Engine oil thermometer
The engine oil temperature is between
approx. 1607/706 and approx. 3407/
1706 during normal operation.
If the engine oil temperature is too high, a
message appears on the Control Display.
Fuel gauge
Fuel tank capacity: approx. 18.5 US gal-
lons/70 liters, including the reserve capac-
ity of approx. 2.1 gallons/8 liters. You can
find information on refueling on page 162.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies for a longer
period, when you are driving in mountain-
ous areas, for example, the indicator may
fluctuate slightly.
After the reserve quantity has been
reached, a message appears for a short
time on the Control Display; the remaining
range is shown in the computer. Below a
range of approx. 30 miles/50 km, the mes-
sage remains on the Control Display.
Refuel as soon as possible once your
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, as otherwise engine functions are
not ensured and damage can occur.<
Service requirement display
In instrument cluster
The remaining distance to be driven, the
date for the next maintenance as well as
the date entered for the state emission or
vehicle inspection are displayed briefly as
of ignition key position 2, if the date is
imminent.
Your BMW Service Advisor will deter-
mine your vehicle's current service
requirements by reading out the data
stored in the vehicle key.<
On Control Display
You can view additional information on ser-
vice and maintenance procedures on the
Control Display.
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page 16:
1.Open the menu
2.Select "Service" and press the control-
ler
3.Select "Service requirements" and
press the controller
4.Select "Status" and press the control-
ler.
The display shows a list of selected service
and maintenance procedures, as well as
legally mandated official inspections.