2005 BMW 525I SEDAN Owner's Manual

Everything under control
72 3.Press the controller.
Speed limit
You can enter a speed and a Check Control
message indicates when you have reached this
speed. This enables you, for example, to
receive warnings if you exceed a speed limit in
an urban area.
You are only warned of reaching this speed a
second time if your vehicle speed falls below it
again by at least 3 mph/5 km/h.
Entering, changing
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page16.
1.Open "Navigation".
In vehicles without a navigation system:
Open "Car Data".
2.Select "Car Data" and press the controller.
3.Select "Limit" and press the controller.
4.Select the speed and press the controller.
5.Turn the controller to set the limit. If
needed, hold it against a slight resistance to
enter a larger difference.
6.Press the controller to apply the setting.
Applying your current speed as limit
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page16.
1.Open "Navigation".
In vehicles without a navigation system:
Open "Car Data".
2.Select "Car Data" and press the controller.
3.Select "Limit" and press the controller.
4.Select "Select current speed" and press
the controller. The system adopts your cur-
rent speed as the limit.
Activating limit
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page16.
1.Open "Navigation".
In vehicles without a navigation system:
Open "Car Data".
2.Select "Car Data" and press the controller.
3.Select "Limit" and press the controller.
4.Select "On" and press the controller.
Limit is activated.
Stopwatch
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page16.
1.Open "Navigation".
In vehicles without a navigation system:
Open "Car Data".
2.Select "Car Data" and press the controller.
3.Select "Stopwatch" and press the control-
ler.

Controls
73Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communication
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Starting and stopping
>Select "Start" and press the controller.
The stopwatch starts at the displayed time.
>Select "Reset" and press the controller.
The stopwatch is reset and it restarts if it
was running beforehand.
>Select "Stop" and press the controller.
This stops the timer.
Taking an intermediate time reading
Select "Interim time" and press the controller.
The interim time appears below the ongoing
primary stopwatch count.
All of the remaining functions remain
available at all times while the stopwatch
is running. The stopwatch continues operation
in the background.<
Settings on Control Display
Brightness of Control Display
The brightness is automatically adapted to the
ambient lighting conditions. However, you can
change the base setting.
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page16.
1.Press button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Display settings" and press the
controller.
4.Select "Brightness" and press the control-
ler.5.If necessary, move the controller to the right
to select "Display Offset".
6.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is selected.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Measurement units
You can change the measurement units for
consumption, distances, temperature and
pressure.
1.Open the menu.
2.Select "Display settings" and press the
controller.
3.Select "Units" and press the controller.
4.Select the menu item to be set.
5.Press the controller.
6.Select the desired measurement unit and
press the controller.
The settings are stored for the remote control
currently in use.

Everything under control
74
Language on Control Display
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page16.
1.Open the menu.
2.Select "Display settings" and press the
controller.
3.Select "Languages" and press the control-
ler.
4.Select "Text language" and press the con-
troller. You can change the language of the
text displays.
5.Select and activate the desired language by
pressing the controller.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Setting time
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page16.
1.Open the menu.
2.Select "Display settings" and press the
controller.
3.Select "Time" and press the controller.
4.Select "Set time" and press the controller.
The hours are highlighted.
5.Turn the controller to set the hours.6.Press the controller to apply the setting.
The next setting is highlighted.
7.Make the remaining adjustments. After the
last adjustment, the time is stored.
12h/24h mode
1.Select "Time format" and press the control-
ler.
2.Select the desired mode and press the con-
troller.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Switching on hour signal*
You will hear three tones just before each full
hour.
Select "Hour memo" and press the controller.
The hour signal is activated.
Date setting
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page16.
1.Open the menu.
2.Select "Display settings" and press the
controller.
3.Select "Date" and press the controller.
4.Select "Set date" and press the controller.
The first section of the date display is high-
lighted, in this case the month.
5.Turn the controller to make the adjustment.
6.Press the controller to apply the setting.
The next setting is highlighted.
7.Make the remaining adjustments. After the
last adjustment, the date is stored.

Controls
75Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communication
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Changing date format
1.Select "Date format" and press the control-
ler.
2.Select the desired format and press the
controller.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
76
Technology for comfort, convenience and
safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
The PDC assists you when you are parking.
Acoustic signals and an optical display
* alert
you to the approach of an object from behind
your vehicle. To measure the distance, there
are four ultrasonic sensors in each bumper. The
sensors at the front and at the two rear corners
have a range of approx. 24 in/60 cm; the rear
middle sensors have approx. 5 ft/1.50 m.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate
objects when they are approached
slowly, as is usually the case when parking.
Avoid approaching an object at high speed, as
otherwise the physical circumstances would
mean that the system warning was too late.<
Automatic mode
When the ignition key is in position 2, the sys-
tem automatically assumes operational status
after a few seconds each time you shift into
reverse or move the selector lever into the R
position.
Wait this short period before driving. The sys-
tem switches itself off when you shift out of
reverse.
Manual mode
Press button, the LED lights up.
Deactivating manual mode
Press the button again; the indicator lamp goes
out.
The system is automatically deactivated once
the vehicle travels approx. 165 ft/50 m or
exceeds a speed of roughly 20 mph/30 km/h;
the indicator lamp goes out. You can reactivate
the system manually as needed.
Signal tones
When nearing an object, the position is corre-
spondingly indicated by an interval tone. Thus,
an object detected to the left rear of the vehicle
will be indicated by a signal tone from the left
rear speaker, etc. As the distance between
vehicle and object decreases, the intervals
between the tones become shorter. If the dis-
tance to the nearest object falls to below
roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then a continuous tone
sounds.
The warning signal is canceled after approx.
3 seconds, if you are moving parallel to a wall.
Malfunction
The LED in the button flashes and a message
appears on the Control Display. PDC is mal-
functioning. Have the system checked.
To prevent this problem, keep the sensors
clean and free of ice or snow in order to ensure
that they will continue to operate effectively.
PDC with visual warning*
You can also have the system show distances
to objects on the Control Display. The Control
Display also indicates objects that are farther
away before a signal tone sounds.

Controls
77Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communication
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page16.
1.Press button.
This opens the start menu.
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.
The setting for the remote control currently in
use is stored.
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 pro-
vided, there is a blind spot in which objects can
no longer be detected.The system is also sub-
ject 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 disappear from the detec-
tion area of the sensors again before a continu-
ous tone sounds. Loud noises from outside and
inside your vehicle may prevent you from hear-
ing 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.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during
braking. Safe steering response is maintained
even during full braking. Active safety is thus
increased.
The ABS is operational every time you start the
engine. Safe braking, refer to page107.
CBC Cornering Brake Control
When braking during curves or when braking
during a gear change, driving stability and
steering response are improved further.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system
automatically produces the maximum braking
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-
est possible braking distance during full brak-
ing. This system exploits all of the benefits pro-
vided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal
for the duration of the brake application. When
the brake pedal is released, DBC is deactivated.

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
78
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
The system prevents traction loss in the driving
wheels when starting off and accelerating. DSC
also detects unstable driving conditions such
as a fishtailing rear end or sliding of the front
wheels. In these cases, DSC helps the vehicle
maintain a safe course within physical limits by
reducing engine output and through braking
actions in the individual wheels.
The DSC is operational every time you start the
engine.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed,
even with DSC. An appropriate driving
style always remains the responsibility of the
driver. Therefore, do not reduce the additional
safety margin again by taking risks.<
DTC Dynamic Traction Control
DTC is a version of DSC in which the drive out-
put is optimized for particular road conditions,
e.g. unplowed snow-covered roads. The sys-
tem assures the maximal drive output, but with
reduced driving stability. It is therefore neces-
sary to drive with appropriate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC
under the following special circumstances:
>When driving on snowy inclines, in slush, or
on unplowed, snow-covered road surfaces
>When rocking a stuck vehicle free or start-
ing off in deep snow or on loose ground
>When driving with snow chains
Activating DTC
Press the button briefly; the DTC indicator lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up.
Deactivating DTC again
Press the button again; the DTC indicator lamp
in the instrument cluster goes out.
Deactivating DTC and DSC together
Press the button until the DSC indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster lights up, but not longer
than approx. 10 seconds. Stabilizing and drive
output promoting actions are no longer exe-
cuted. In addition, the stability promoting inter-
vention of the active steering is deactivated,
refer to page81.
A message appears on the Control Display.
Please note any supplementary information
that appears there.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again
as soon as possible.
Reactivating DSC
Press the button; the DTC indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
To control
The indicator lamp flashes:
DSC or DTC controls the drive forces
and brake forces.
The indicator lamp lights up:
DSC and DTC are deactivated together via the
button DTC.
The indicator lamp lights up:
DTC is activated via the DTC button.

Controls
79Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communication
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Malfunction in vehicle stability-control
systems
The brake system warning lamp lights
up in red, appearing together with the
indicator lamps for ABS and DSC. A
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. The driving stability control sys-
tems are deactivated. Conventional
braking efficiency remains available
without limitations. While you may con-
tinue, you should remember to proceed cau-
tiously and drive defensively while avoiding full
brake applications. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.
Display of the previously described
malfunction on Canadian models.
The indicator lamp for DSC lights up; a
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. DSC and DTC are deactivated.
The stability maintenance functions are no
longer available. The vehicle remains in running
order. Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
The warning lamp for the brake system
lights up in yellow; a message appears
on the Control Display. DBC has failed.
Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Display of the previously described
malfunction on Canadian models.
Active roll stabilization*
The concept
Active roll stabilization minimizes body roll and
optimizes vehicle stability during cornering and
evasive maneuvers.
Dynamic stabilizers at the front and rear axles
form the basis for active roll stabilization. Sus-
pension compliance adapts to suit driving con-
ditions, varying from performance-oriented during cornering to smooth and comfort-ori-
ented when the vehicle is proceeding in a
straight line. During vehicle operation, the sys-
tem continuously runs through closed-loop
control cycles lasting only fractions of a second.
The system assumes operational status each
time you start the engine.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up and a mes-
sage appears on the Control Display.
There is a malfunction in the system.
Have the system checked as soon as possible.
If there is a malfunction in the system,
please remember to adapt your speed
accordingly, especially in curves. The suspen-
s i o n w il l b e n o t i c ea b ly s o f t e r a n d t h e v e h i cl e w il l
display a greater tendency to tilt during corner-
ing and in crosswinds. If a message stating that
you should stop appears on the Control Display,
stop and switch off the engine as soon as pos-
sible. In this case the oil level in the reservoir
may have dropped below the minimum, possi-
bly owing to a leak in the hydraulic system. Do
not continue driving. Contact your BMW cen-
ter.<
Flat Tire Monitor
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the infla-
tion pressures in the four mounted tires as you
drive. The system provides an alert whenever
the inflation pressure drops significantly in rela-
tion to the pressure in another tire.
In the event of a pressure loss, the rolling radius
and therefore the rotation speed of the wheels
change. This change is detected and is
reported as a flat tire.
Functional requirement
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat
tire, the system must be initialized for the cor-
rect tire inflation pressure.
Perform the initialization immediately
after correcting the inflation pressure,