2004 BMW 745Li power steering

Cockpit

10

Cockpit
All around the steering wheel: controls and displays

1

Roller sun blind for rear window112

2

Rear window safety switch42

3

Electric power windows41

4

Exterior mirrors51

5

Parking brake62

6

Parking lamps and low beams99

7

Instrument lighting100

8

Turn signal indicators69
High beams,
headlamp flasher100

Driving
68 page 66. We recommend this program for
performance-oriented driving.
When you press the S/M/D button a sec-
ond time the transmission switches to its
manual mode; press again to return to the
automatic program.
You can also return to the standard auto-
matic program by reselecting D.
In the manual mode the transmission
upshifts when you briefly press the buttons
on the rear of the steering wheel. You
downshift by briefly pressing the buttons
on the front of the steering wheel. The Info
Display shows the manual ranges 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 Info Display, followed by the
current gear.
To obtain maximum acceleration, for
passing maneuvers, etc., during
operation in the manual mode, use the
kickdown or downshift manually.<
Malfunctions
A status report will appear in the Check
Control to alert you to any malfunctions in
the transmission-control system. Please
note any supplementary information that
appears on the Control Display. The direc-
tional arrows also start to flash in the Info
Display.
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.
Some types of malfunction will make it
impossible to engage all gears.
The engine may respond with reduced out-
put when accelerating from a standing
start. If this happens, avoid extreme engine loads
and consult the nearest BMW center.
If no status messages appear in the
Info Display you should accelerate
carefully to confirm that you are driving in
the desired direction.
Never work in the engine compartment
with any of the forward or reverse gears
engaged, as the vehicle could start to
move. Engaging the parking brake, refer to
page 62.<
Manual release of transmission
lockout
You can respond to any interruptions in the
supply of electrical power, for instance, if
the battery is discharged or disconnected,
by releasing the transmission lockout man-
ually.
To prevent the drive wheels from
locking up and sliding, the transmis-
sion lockout must always be released man-
ually before the vehicle is towed.<
Press the brake pedal before releas-
ing the transmission lockout manu-
ally. If the brakes are not applied, the vehi-
cle could start to roll if parked on a steep
slope.
The transmission lockout should only be
released for towing. Remember to engage
the transmission lockout when you repark
the vehicle after moving it.
Should it also be necessary to release
the parking brake manually, owing to a dis-
charged battery, etc., always adhere to the
following sequence:
1.Start by manually releasing the parking
brake, refer to page 64
2.Then proceed to manually release the
transmission lockout.<
Jump-starting and towing, refer to
pages 207 and 208.

Driving tips
123Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
to as hydroplaning, and is characterized
by a partial or complete loss of contact
between tires and road surface, ultimately
undermining your ability to steer and brake
the vehicle.<
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the
road if it is deeper than 1 ft/30 cm,
and then only at walking speed at the most.
Otherwise, the vehicle's engine, the electri-
cal systems and the transmission may be
damaged.<
Brake system
Braking with ABS
The best way to achieve the best response
from the ABS is to apply maximum pres-
sure to the brake pedal Ð panic stop. Since
the vehicle maintains steering responsive-
ness, you can nevertheless avoid possible
obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combines with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits to indi-
cate to the driver that ABS is in its active
mode.
Do not drive with your foot resting on
the brake pedal. Otherwise, even light
but consistent pedal pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possi-
bly even brake failure.<
Disc brakes
Driving in wet conditions
While driving in wet conditions and in
heavy rain, it is a good idea to apply light
pressure to the brake pedal every few
miles. Monitor traffic conditions to ensure
that this maneuver does not endanger
other road users. The heat generated in this
process helps dry the pads and rotors to
ensure that full braking efficiency will then
be available when you need it.
Hills
You can retain full and unimpaired braking
efficiency by downshifting to a gear in
which only minimal brake applications are
needed when descending long or steep
downhill stretches.
You can further enhance the engine's
braking effect by selecting a lower gear
in the automatic transmission's manual
mode, downshifting as far as first gear
on extremely steep stretches, refer to
page 67. This strategy helps you avoid
placing excessive loads on the brake sys-
tem.
Never allow the vehicle to coast with
the transmission in Neutral Ð or with
the engine switched off Ð as there is no
engine braking when the transmission is in
Neutral, and no power-assist for brakes
and steering when the engine is not run-
ning.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
accelerator and brake pedals and obstruct
their movement.<
Corrosion
When the vehicle is driven only occasion-
ally, during extended periods when the
vehicle is not used at all, and in operating
conditions where brake applications are
less frequent, there is an increased ten-
dency for corrosion to form on rotors, while
contaminants accumulate on the brake
pads. This occurs because the minimal
pressure which must be exerted by the
pads during brake applications to clean the
rotors is not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors,
the brakes will tend to respond with a pul-
sating effect that even extended applica-
tion will fail to cure.
Brake pads
If the brake pad wear warning lamp
appears in the Check Control,
accompanied by a text. Please take
careful note of the additional information on
the Control Display.

Under the hood
196 The oil quantity between the two marks
of the dipstick is approx. 1.65 US quarts/
1.5 liter. Do not fill beyond the upper mark
on the dipstick. Excess oil can damage the
engine.
Adding engine oil
Wait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark or a message
appears in the Check Control before add-
ing oil.
BMW engines are designed to oper-
ate without additives, and their use
could even lead to damage in some cases.
This also applies to the automatic transmis-
sion, the differential and the power steering
system.<
Recommendation: have your oil changed
at your BMW center.
Continuous exposure to used oil has
caused cancer in laboratory testing.
For this reason, any skin areas that come
into contact with oil should be thoroughly
washed with soap and water.
Store oil, grease, etc., well out of the reach
of children; always observe all warning
labels on the containers. and regulations for environmental
protection when disposing of used oil.<
Specified engine oils
The quality of the engine oil selected has
critical significance for the operation and
service life of an engine. BMW approves
only specific oils after confirming their suit-
ability for use in its vehicles with extensive
testing.
Use only approved BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil.
If you are unable to obtain BMW High Per-
formance Synthetic Oil, you can add small
amounts of another synthetic oil between
oil changes. Use only oils with the API SH
specification or higher.
Ask your BMW center for details con-
cerning the specific BMW High Per-
formance Synthetic Oil or synthetic oils
which have been approved.<
You can also call BMW of North America
at 1-800-831-1117 or visit this website:
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this informa-
tion.
Viscosity ratings
Viscosity is the oil flow rating as defined in
SAE classes.
The selection of the correct SAE class
depends on the climatic conditions in the
area where you typically drive your BMW.
Approved oils are in SAE classes
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These oils may be used for driving in all
ambient temperatures.
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling
system when the engine is hot.
Escaping coolant can cause burns.
Antifreeze and anticorrosion agents are
hazardous to health. Always store these
agents in tightly-closed original containers
kept well away from the reach of children.

Reference 219
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Dialed numbers 180
Digital coverage area for
navigation 130
Dimensions 213
Dipstick, engine oil 195
Direction
Ð arrow 140
Ð to destination 139
Ð voice instructions 141
Directional indicators, refer
to Turn signal
indicators 69
Disc brakes 123
Displacement 212
Display
Ð Control Center 21
Ð Control Display 17
Display illumination 100
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument
illumination 100
Display of faults 82
Displays 12
Disposal, battery 35
Distance 85
Distance tempomat, refer
to Active cruise
control 73
Distance to destination 85
Distance warning, refer to
Park Distance Control 90
Door entry lighting 101
Door keys 32
Doors
Ð child-safety lock 58
Ð locking and unlocking 33
Ð manual operation 36
Ð remote control 33
DOT Quality Grades 190
Draft-free ventilation 105
Driving stability control 92
Driving tips 122
"DSC" 93
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control 92
"DTC" 92
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control 13, 92
"DVD" 148, 166DVD changer 165
Ð adjusting the picture 168
Ð adjusting the tone 149
Ð controls 148
Ð country codes 166
Ð DVD controller 166
Ð fast forward 167
Ð freezing frame 168
Ð humidity 170
Ð reverse 167
Ð searching for chapter 167
Ð selecting a track 167
Ð selecting camera
angle 169
Ð selecting DVD 167
Ð selecting language 168
Ð selecting picture
format 168
Ð selecting subtitles 168
Ð specific menu 169
Ð switching on 166
Ð temperature range 170
Ð volume 149
DVD Multimedia changer,
refer to DVD changer 165
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC 93
Dynamic Drive 94
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC 92
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC 92
E
EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution 91
"EDC" 94
Ð "Comfort" 94
Ð "Sport" 94
EDC Electronic Damping
Control 94Electrical malfunction
Ð automatic transmission
lockout 68
Ð fuel filler door 186
Ð glass roof 43
Ð parking brake 65
Electric power seat 45, 46
Electric power windows 41
Electric steering wheel
adjustment 52
Electronic brake-force
distribution EBV 91
Electronic Damping Control
EDC 94
Electronic toll collection
device, refer to Entry/
pass tags 126
Emergency call
Ð starting 177
Ð using button 177
Emergency operation
Ð automatic transmission
lockout 68
Ð doors 36
Ð fuel filler door 186
Ð glass roof 43
Ð luggage compartment
lid 39
Ð parking brake 65
Emergency release of
luggage compartment lid
from luggage
compartmentÕs interior 39
"Emissions inspection" 82
Energy-conscious driving,
refer to Energy Control 85
Energy Control 85
Engine compartment 195
Engine coolant 195, 196
"Engine oil" 198
Engine oil
consumption 195
Engine oil grades 196
Engine output 212
Engine specifications 212
"Entertainm." 24
"Entertainment"
18, 21, 148
Entry/pass tags 126

Reference 223
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Parking the vehicle 61
Parking with
Automatic Hold 63
Passenger-side mirror tilt
function 54
Pathway lighting 99
"PDC image" 91
PDC Park Distance
Control 90
Personal Calling 175
"Perspective" for
navigation 139
Phone book 179
Ð creating voice command
phone book 179
Ð deleting all entries 180
Ð dialing numbers 179
Ð dialing numbers using
voice command
system 180
Ð entering numbers in voice
command phone
book 179
Ð entry deletion 180
Ð updating voice command
phone book 179
Ð viewing entries 180
Phone number, refer to
Portable phone 179
"Pict. format" 168
"Picture" 148
Ð DVD changer 168
Ð TV 164
Please fasten safety belt
warning lamp 49
Pollen 108Portable phone
Ð adjusting volume 177
Ð battery 175
Ð calling 179
Ð call termination 179
Ð codes 178
Ð controlling with the
buttons on the steering
wheel 16
Ð hands-free system 177
Ð missed calls 181
Ð operating using the
Control Center 175
Ð redialing 180
Ð refer to separate portable
phone Owner's Manual
Ð selecting phone
numbers 179
Ð switching on/off 178
Ð Top 8 list 180
Power rating 212
Power socket 116
Power windows 41
Pressure, tires 188
Pressure monitoring,
tires 95
Programmable cruise
control 71
Programming settings,
refer to Vehicle Memory,
Key Memory 54
Puncture
Ð Flat Tire Monitor 95R
Radio
Ð adjusting the tone 149
Ð "AUTOSTORE" 154
Ð Autostore 154
Ð controls 148
Ð memory locations 153
Ð operating
temperatures 148
Ð sampling 153
Ð Scan 152
Ð selecting the
waveband 152
Ð station search 152
Ð station selection 154
Ð storing a station 154
Ð switching on 152
Ð volume 149
Ð Weather Band 155
Radio mode 60
Ð with Comfort Access 60
Rain sensor 70
Reading lamps 101
"Rear" 24
Rear air conditioner 108
Ð activation and
deactivation in Control
Center 109
Ð air supply 108
Ð cooling adjustment 108
Rear armrest, refer to Rear
center armrest 117
Rear center armrest 117
Rear cooler 113
Rear lamps, replacing
bulbs 202
Rear monitor, refer to
Control Center in rear 23
Rear screen 23
Rear seat heaters 50
Rear seats
Ð adjusting passenger seat
from the rear 46
Ð comfort seat
adjustments 46
Ð head restraint
adjustment 47
Rearview mirror 51