2004 BMW 745Li ignition

Controls
51Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Active seat*
Active adjustment of the seat cushion's
contours reduces muscular tension and
fatigue to help prevent lower back pain.
To activate: press the button, the indicator
lamp comes on.
Mirrors
Adjusting exterior mirrors
14-way adjustment
2To select mirror for adjustment
To prevent the exterior mirrors on this
vehicle from being damaged, always
fold them in by hand before entering an
automatic car wash.<
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 53. 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
The mirrors are automatically heated
whenever the ignition is switched on.
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, arrow,
while the other is located at an offset posi-
tion on the rear of the mirror housing.
The mirrors automatically revert to their
clear, undimmed mode whenever you
place the selector lever into reverse.
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, either.<

Adjustments
52
Illuminated vanity mirror in the rear
1.Press button 1. The vanity mirror folds
down
2.Pull the mirror slightly downwards
before you swivel it
3.Press the vanity mirror back up before
folding it back in.
Steering wheel adjustment
The steering wheel can be adjusted in any
of four directions by pressing the appropri-
ate end of the button.
Do not adjust the steering wheel while
the vehicle is moving. There is a risk
of accident from unexpected movement.<
Storing steering wheel positions, refer to
Seat, mirror and steering wheel memory on
page 53.
Automatic steering wheel
adjustment
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 switch.
Steering wheel heater*
The steering wheel heater operates when
the ignition is on.
Press the button to activate or deactivate
this system.
The indicator lamp within the button lights
up when the steering wheel heater is in
operation.
Programming button function
You can assign specific individual
functions to the programmable but-
ton. This feature then provides you
with quick access to this function, allowing
you to control it without undue distraction
from road and traffic conditions.
1.Select "Settings"
2.Confirm
3.Select " button". Continue to press
the controller until the desired function
appears:
>"Recirc. air"
In this mode the supply of outside air
remains blocked, refer to AUC Auto-

Controls
53Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
matic recirculated-air control on
page 104
>"Navi info"
To repeat the most recent message
from the navigation system, refer to
page 141
>"AUTO P"
To activate/deactivate Automatic Hold
refer to Automatic Hold on page 63.
You can select the displayed function using
the button on the steering wheel.
If you have activated Automatic Hold,
refer to page 63, you can use the but-
ton on the steering wheel to deactivate the
system for parking maneuvers etc.<
Seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory
You can store and select two different
adjustment settings for the driver's seat,
exterior mirrors and steering wheel.
If your vehicle is equipped with comfort
seats, you can also store and set two sitting
positions for each additional seat with the
memory.
The adjustment of the lumbar support is not
stored in the memory.
Storing
1.Radio mode, or switch on ignition
2.Set desired sitting position; for driver's
seat as well as the exterior mirror and
steering wheel position 3.Press
MEMORY button:
The indicator lamp within the button
comes on
4.Press the desired memory button 1 or 2:
The indicator lamp goes out.
Selecting a stored setting
Convenience mode
1.Driver's door open after unlocking or
ignition lock in radio position
2.Briefly press the desired memory but-
ton 1 or 2.
The system immediately cancels the
adjustment procedure when you press one
of the seat adjustment buttons or use one
of the memory buttons.
Safety feature
1.Driver's door closed and ignition
switched either on or off
2.Press memory button 1 or 2 and main-
tain pressure until the adjustment pro-
cess has been completed.
If you press the
MEMORY button acciden-
tally:
Press the button again; the indicator lamp
goes out.
Do not call up a position from the
memory while the vehicle is moving.
There is a risk of accident from unexpected
movement of the seat or steering wheel.<
You can have your vehicle pro-
grammed to automatically dial in your
own individual adjustment settings for the
seat, mirrors and steering wheel whenever
you use your personal remote control unit
to unlock the vehicle.<
When using the 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.<

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
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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

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.

Controls
65Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
What you will need
1Screwdriver handle
2Emergency-release tool
30.4 in/10 mm open-end wrench
You will find the required tools in the
onboard tool kit mounted on the inside of
the luggage compartment lid, refer to
page 200.
Insert the emergency-release tool in the
screwdriver handle as shown in the illustra-
tion.
Releasing
1.Remove the floor mat and the cover on
the spare tire
2.Guide the emergency-release tool with
the screwdriver handle into the open-
ing, arrow 1
3.Apply the open-end wrench to the
hexagon on the emergency-release
tool.
Press against the resistance from the
spring to guide the emergency-release
tool all the way in, then hold it in place.
Turn the emergency-release tool in the
direction indicated by arrow 2, continu-
ing until you hear the mechanism snap
into place and feel resistance; maintain pressure on the tool after the mecha-
nism engages
4.Use the open-end wrench to turn the
emergency-release tool against the
drive unit's mechanical resistance, con-
tinuing to rotate it in arrow direction 2
until you feel a substantial increase in
turning effort
To prevent possible damage to the
rear brakes, always make sure that
the parking brake is completely released
before driving the vehicle.<
5.Return the tools to their places
6.Return the spare tire cover and the floor
mat to their original locations.
Have any defects repaired at the
nearest BMW center. The technicians
can also return the parking brake to normal
operational status after it has been
released manually in response to malfunc-
tion.<
Following manual release, the actual
status of the parking brake may vary
from that displayed by the indicator lamp.<
Operation after interruptions in
power supply
The parking brake may only be used
again, if it was released manually after
an interruption in power supply, i.e. as a
result of a discharged or disconnected bat-
tery. If this is not done, the parking brake
may fail to operate correctly. Even with the
parking brake engaged, there would be a
danger of the vehicle rolling on steep
hills.<
Once the electrical power supply has been
restored you can again use the parking
brake:
With the ignition on and the
vehicle stationary, briefly press
the button three times at inter-
vals of approx. 5 seconds. This
initializes the system as follows:
>Initializing the disengaged setting
>Engaging: the system registers the new
status and the brake setting is initial-