2004 BMW 745i engine

At a glance

11

Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility

9

Steering wheel16

10

Info Display12

11

Automatic transmission lever66

12

Ignition lock60

16

Horn: the entire surface

20

Fog lamps100

21

Releasing the engine hood194 Computer84,
Check Control82
Computer84
Standing lamps100

13

Switching ignition on/off and
starting the engine60,61

14

Windshield wipers70
Rain sensor70

15

PDC Park Distance Control90

17

Steering wheel heater52
Steering wheel adjustment52

18

Unlocking luggage
compartment38

19

Programmable cruise
control71
Front fog lamps

Cockpit

12

Info Display

1

To view odometer display and
reset trip odometer to zero80

2

Speedometer with display for

>

Programmable cruise control 71
or

>

Active cruise control73

>

Speed limit86

3

Indicator and warning lamps12

4

Tachometer 80
with destination guidance
navigation system139

5

Indicator for

>

Computer 84
or

>Text message of the Check
Control82
or
>Voice command system25
6Transmission range selection66
7Automatic transmission program
display66 8Indicator for
>Clock88
>Outside temperature80
or
>Indicator and warning lamps of
the Check Control82
9Computer with fuel gauge85, 84
10Fog lamps100
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
The indicator and warning lamps identified
by the
+ symbol are subjected to an oper-
ation check each time you switch on the
ignition or start the engine. They each light
up once for different periods of time.
When a malfunction occurs in a monitored
system, the corresponding lamp will either
fail to go out when the engine is started, or
it will come on again during normal driving.
For information on how you should respond
when this happens, please refer to the
pages indicated.

At a glance
13Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Please fasten safety belts +49
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control
+92
DTC Dynamic Traction Control92
ABS Antilock Brake System
+91
Parking brake/brake hydraulics/
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control
+62/ 197/ 93
Parking brake/brake hydraulics/
DBC Dynamic Brake Control for
Canadian models
Parking brake
+62,64
Parking brake62,64
Automatic parking brake Ð
Automatic Hold
+63,64
Service Engine Soon
+199
Indicator lamp for Canadian
models
Airbags
+97
Turn signal indicators69High beams/
headlamp flasher100
Front fog lamps 100
Colors
The indicator and warning lamps can light
up in different colors and combinations.
The following section explains the signifi-
cance of the individual colors as well as
how you should respond when they
appear.
>Red:
Stop the vehicle immediately
or
an important reminder
>Red and yellow:
Continue to drive cautiously
>Yellow:
Have the system inspected at
the earliest opportunity
or
for your information
>Green:
For your information
>Blue:
For your information.
Indicator and warning lamps of
the Check Control
Other indicator and warning lamps appear
in the display 8 of the Info Display as nec-
essary, accompanied by supplementary
text, refer to Check Control, page 82.

Driving
60
Driving
Ignition lock
Insert the remote control all the way into
the ignition lock. This also activates the
radio mode.
When the remote control unit is in the
ignition lock you can start the engine
without first switching on the ignition.<
Comfort Access*
Carry the remote control on your person if
you want to use Comfort Access.
With Comfort Access, you do not need to
insert the remote control in the ignition
lock. You can switch the ignition on and off,
see below, or start the engine, page 61,
when a remote control is detected in the
vehicle interior.
When you switch off the engine, the
transmission moves automatically to
position P: interlock.<
Switching the ignition on and off
Continue to briefly press the start/stop but-
ton to switch the radio mode on and off or
switch the ignition on and off.
Do not press the brake pedal until you
are ready to start the engine. If you
briefly press the start/stop button while the
brake pedal is pressed the engine will start
immediately.<
Radio mode
Several systems, such as the Control Cen-
ter, independent ventilation, etc., are avail-
able for use. The time and outside temper-
ature appear in the Info Display.
The radio mode is automatically
deactivated:
>After approx. 16 minutes, when a door
is closed and the system does not reg-
ister the presence of any individuals in
the vehicle
>Immediately if the remote control is
removed from the ignition lock
>With Comfort Access, by pressing the
door handle.<
Ignition switched on
All vehicle systems are ready for operation.
Ignition switched off
The indicator lamps in the Info Display go
out. Only the automatic transmission's
range display remains visible for a brief
period.
Removing the remote control from
the ignition lock
Press the remote control in briefly; it is
ejected and now protrudes slightly from the
lock. This procedure will also switch off the
ignition if it is on.
Switch off the engine before removing
the remote control unit from the igni-
tion lock.

Controls
61Reference
At a glance
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Communications
Navigation
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Mobility
The transmission automatically shifts to
position P: interlock.<
If the remote control is still in the ignition
lock when the driver's door is opened, a
gong will sound and a message will appear
in the Info Display.
Starting the 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.<
1.Insert the remote control all the way into
the ignition lock. With Comfort Access,
this is not required
2.Press the brake pedal
3.Briefly press the start/stop button.
Your BMW is equipped with the con-
venience starting feature. After press-
ing the brake pedal, all you need to do is
briefly press the start/stop button.
The system responds by automatically
engaging the starter and allowing it to run
until the engine starts, after which it then
disengages automatically.
The automatic starting mode will not oper-
ate or will be canceled if the battery voltage
is low. The engine can be started by jump-
starting, refer to page 207.<
Do not allow the engine to warm up by
leaving it running while the vehicle remains stationary. Instead, drive off immediately at
a moderate engine speed.
If you have accidentally switched off
the engine while driving, it can be
restarted from a speed of approx. 3 mph/
5 km/h by pressing the button. It is not nec-
essary to press the brake pedal.<
Under the following conditions you should
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
>During a cold start at high altitudes,
from approx. 3,281 ft/1,000 m, at very
low temperatures, from approx. + 57/
Ð156.
Refrain from starting the vehicle
repeatedly at brief intervals, and
avoid an excessive number of starting
attempts if the vehicle fails to start;
repeated activation of the starter over an
extended period would allow unburned or
only partially combusted fuel to enter the
catalytic converter, where it can cause
overheating and damage to the unit.<
Switching off the engine
With the vehicle stationary, briefly press the
start/stop button. This also activates the
radio mode.
The transmission automatically shifts to
position P: interlock.
Transmission position N remains
engaged if you keep to the following
order:
1.With Comfort Access: insert the remote
control into the ignition lock
2.With the engine running, engage trans-
mission position N
3.Switch off the engine
4.Leave the remote control in the ignition
lock.
This function is useful in automatic car
washes, etc.
Position P is engaged automatically after

Driving
62 approx. 30 minutes or when you remove
the remote control from the ignition lock.
Remember to observe the Check Control
for status messages.<
Should exceptional circumstances
render it necessary for you to switch
off the engine while the vehicle is moving,
press the start/stop button for approx.
1 second.
If you maintain pressure on the start/stop
button for longer than two seconds while
switching off the ignition, the remote con-
trol will be ejected.<
Before leaving the vehicle, remove
the remote control from the ignition
lock; with Comfort Access, always take the
remote control with you.<
Parking brake
The concept
Your BMW is equipped with an electrome-
chanical parking brake.
The parking brake is primarily intended to
prevent the vehicle from rolling while
parked.
You can operate or use the parking brake in
two different ways:
>Manually, by briefly pressing the button
>Automatically, through activation of the
Automatic Hold mode, refer to page 63.
An electrohydraulic mechanism then
engages the parking brake to prevent the
rear wheels from turning whenever you
switch off the engine.
When the engine is running, parking brake
engagement is controlled by the brake sys-
tem's hydraulic circuits, which act on the
disc brakes at the front and rear wheels.
Brake pedal feel
Because this function is activated using
the brake system's hydraulic circuits, the
response of the brake pedal may change
slightly. Engagement may also be accom-
panied by activation noise Ð this is normal.
Manual engagement
Briefly press the button, the
word PARK appears briefly
in the Info Display. With the
parking brake set, the indicator
lamp lights up red in the
Info Display, refer to page 12.
With the ignition off, the indicator
lamp goes out after a brief
period.<
Manual release
With the ignition on, briefly
press the button: the indicator
lamp in the Info Display goes
out.
Provided that the remote control unit
is inserted in the ignition lock, you can
also release the parking brake after the
engine has been switched off. This function
is intended for use in automatic car
washes, etc.<
When leaving the vehicle, always
release the remote control from the
detent in the ignition lock; this precaution
prevents children from disengaging the
parking brake, etc.
The parking brake can still be engaged at
any time when the remote control unit is
released from the detent. It is only possible
to disengage the parking brake with the
ignition on.<
If exceptional circumstances should
make it necessary to engage the
parking brake while the vehicle is in motion,
maintain pressure on the button.
The indicator lamp appears in red in the
Info Display. A gong sounds at the same

Controls
63Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
time.
The brake lamps come on.
The vehicle continues to brake automati-
cally for as long as you maintain pressure
on the button.<
When you brake the vehicle to a vir-
tual stop, i.e., down to a speed of
approx. 2 mph/3 km/h or below, the park-
ing brake remains engaged.
The indicator lamp in the Info Display
lights up red. Briefly press the button to
disengage the parking brake manually.<
Automatic Hold
You can activate this feature after starting
the engine; it then remains operational until
the next time the engine is switched off.
This feature provides supplementary sup-
port during vehicle operation by automati-
cally engaging and releasing the parking
brake during stops at traffic lights, in stop-
and-go traffic, etc. As the vehicle then no
longer tends to creep when the transmis-
sion is engaged, it is no longer necessary
to hold the vehicle by pressing the brake
pedal.
It prevents the vehicle from rolling back-
ward during uphill starts.
The parking brake engages automatically
when you stop the vehicle and switch off
the engine.
You can activate or cancel the Automatic
Hold feature by selecting the "Settings"
menu in the Control Center. A description
of the Control Center is provided on
page 17.
Automatic Hold activation/
deactivation
1.Select "Settings"
2.Select and confirm
3.Select "AUTO P". Press the controller
to activate/deactivate the desired func-
tion
>Automatic Hold is activated.
The green AUTO P status message in
the Info Display shows you that the sys-
tem is ready for operation
>Automatic Hold is deactivated.
The green AUTO P status message dis-
appears from the Info Display.
You can assign the Automatic Hold
function to the programmable button
in the steering wheel, refer to page 52.
This feature then provides you with quick
access to the Automatic Hold function,
allowing you to control it without undue
distraction from road and traffic condi-
tions.<
You can also deactivate Auto-
matic Hold by pressing the but-
ton while the vehicle is station-
ary. The vehicle remains
stationary, the indicator lamp
changes from green to red. Press the but-
ton again to release the parking brake.
Driving with Automatic Hold
The parking brake engages automatically
when the vehicle comes to a stop. The indi-
cator lamp in the Info Display lights
up green.
To start off again, simply press the acceler-
ator pedal. The parking brake is released
automatically; the indicator lamp
goes out.
Do not drive through an automatic car
wash with the Automatic Hold on and
the engine running. The system would
engage the parking brake while the vehicle
is stationary.<
Parking with Automatic Hold
The parking brake engages automatically
when you stop the vehicle and switch off
the engine. The indicator lamp
changes from green to red.

Driving
64 Provided that the remote control is
inserted in the ignition lock, you can
also release the parking brake manually
after the engine has been switched off,
refer to page 62. This function is useful in
automatic car washes, etc.
Automatic Hold is deactivated.<
When leaving the vehicle, always
release the remote control from the
detent in the ignition lock; this precaution
prevents children from disengaging the
parking brake, etc.<
For your safety
Automatic Hold is automatically deacti-
vated when
>the engine is switched off
>the system detects that the driver's seat
is not occupied while the engine is run-
ning
>the hood is opened while the engine is
running
>the luggage compartment lid is opened
with the transmission in reverse while
the engine is running, and
>when the parking brake is used to bring
the vehicle to a stop.
The indicator lamp changes from
green to red, and the AUTO P letters in the
Info Display disappear.
Before starting off again, briefly press the
button to disengage the parking brake
manually, refer to page 62, or reactivate
Automatic Hold, refer to page 63.
Before leaving the vehicle with the
engine running, always move the
automatic transmission's selector lever to
position P and ensure that the parking
brake is engaged. The vehicle could start
to roll if you fail to observe these precau-
tions.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the
engine running, as such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
Automatic Hold is automatically
deactivated whenever the system
detects any tendency for the wheels to spin
in response to slippery road surfaces. Note the status reports in the Check Control.
You can find additional information on the
Check Control on page 82.<
Malfunctions
If a malfunction occurs, the indicator
lamp lights up yellow in the Info Dis-
play and a status report will appear in the
Check Control. Please note any supple-
mentary information that appears on the
Control Display.
Releasing the parking brake
manually
You can respond to any interruptions in the
supply of electrical power, for instance, if
the battery is discharged or disconnected,
by releasing the parking brake manually.
Before proceeding to release the
parking brake manually, and each
time you park the vehicle without engaging
the parking brake, always ensure that the
automatic transmission's selector lever is
in position P, refer to page 66. Note the
range indicated in the Info Display.
If the wheel must be changed on a surface
with a more severe slope, take additional
precautions to secure the vehicle from roll-
ing e.g. with a chock, refer to page 203.
Otherwise there is a danger that the vehicle
could start to roll if parked on a steep
slope.<
Should it also be necessary to release the
automatic transmission's lockout manually,
for instance, if the battery is discharged,
always adhere to the following sequence:
1.If necessary, start by manually releasing
the parking brake
2.Then release the automatic transmis-
sion's lockout manually, refer to
page 68.
Jump-starting and towing, refer to
pages 207 and 208.