2005 BMW 545I SEDAN mirror

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
84 >When an adult is traveling in the front seat,
the front and side airbags remain active on
the passenger side.
Although not desired, it can occur in the
case of heavier children that the front
passenger airbags remain active or in the case
of very light adults or young persons that the
front passenger airbags are deactivated. In
these cases, have the person ride in the rear
seat, refer to Passenger airbag status lamp
below. Do not load the passenger seat with any
items in addition to the person to be trans-
ported. Do not fit seat covers, seat cushion pad-
ding, ball mats or other items onto the front pas-
senger seat unless they are specifically
r e c o m m e n d e d b y B M W . D o n o t p l a c e a n y i t e m s
under the seat. Otherwise, the function of the
seat occupation detection could be impaired.<
Operational readiness of airbag system
As of ignition key position of 1, the warning
lamp lights up briefly, thus indicating the opera-
tional readiness of the entire airbag system and
the safety belt tensioners.
Airbag system malfunction
>The warning lamp does not light up as of
ignition key position 1.
>Warning lamp lights up continuously.
A malfunction could prevent the airbag
system from responding in the expected
manner to an impact occurring within its normal
response range.<
Passenger airbag status lamp
The indicator lamp located above the rear view
mirror indicates whether the front passenger
airbag system is active or not active/OFF.
The indicator lamp is used only for the
front passenger airbag system. The indi-
cator lamp illuminates to show that the front
passenger airbag system is OFF/not active.<
>The lamp illuminates briefly during startup,
but then goes out if the seat is empty, or an
adult or child of sufficient size is detected.
>The lamp remains illuminated when a child
in a rear facing child-restraint system is
detected and indicates that the passenger
airbag system is off.
If the lamp is illuminated when the seat is
occupied by a very light adult or teenager,
it is recommended that the person sit in the
rear.<
Find more information about passenger airbag
system and seat occupancy detection in the
section Automatic deactivation of front passen-
ger airbags above.
Head-Up Display*
The concept
With the Head-Up Display important informa-
tion is projected into the driver's field of view,
e.g. navigation instructions. This enables you to
take in this information without looking away
from the road.

Driving tips
107Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communication
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Portable phone in the vehicle
BMW discourages the use of mobile
communications devices, e. g. portable
phones, inside the vehicle without a direct con-
nection to an outside antenna. Otherwise, the
vehicle electronics and mobile communication
device can influence one another. In addition,
there is no assurance that the radiation which
results from transmission will be dissipated
from the vehicle interior.<
Interior and exterior mirrors, automatic
dimming feature*
This feature is controlled by two photocells in
the inside rearview mirror. One is integrated into
the glass of the mirror, while the other is located
at an offset position on the rear of the mirror
housing.
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 stickers of any kind to the windshield
in front of the mirror, either.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This phenomenon is referred to as hydro-
planing, and is characterized by a partial or
complete loss of contact between the tires and
the road surface, ultimately undermining your
ability to steer and brake the vehicle.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases as the tread
depth of the tires decreases, refer also to Mini-
mum tire tread on page173.
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 vehi-
cle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.<
Using handbrake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle with
the clutch; use the handbrake. Otherwise
greater clutch wear will result.<
SMG Sequential manual transmission
Start off quickly on slopes. Do not hold
the vehicle on a hill by pressing the accel-
erator, but apply the handbrake instead. Other-
wise overheating can occur in the transmission
region.<
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. In situations that require it, it is best to
brake with full force. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal, combined with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits, indicate that
ABS is in its active mode.
Do not drive with your foot resting on the
brake pedal. Even light but consistent
pedal pressure can lead to high temperatures,
brake wear and possibly even brake failure.<
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain,
briefly exert gentle pressure on 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.

Things to remember when driving
108
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least braking is required. Even
light but consistent pedal pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.<
You can further enhance the engine's braking
action by selecting a lower gear in the automatic
transmission's manual mode, downshifting as
far as first gear on extremely steep stretches,
refer to page56. This strategy helps you avoid
placing excessive loads on the brake system.
Never drive with the clutch pressed or
allow the vehicle to coast with the trans-
mission in Neutral – or with the engine switched
off – there is no engine braking when the trans-
mission 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 on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
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 tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
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 pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms in the air conditioner sys-
tem during operation, and then exits under the
vehicle.
Traces of condensed water under the
vehicle are therefore normal
.
Before driving into a car wash
To prevent the exterior mirrors on this vehicle
from being damaged, always fold them in by
hand before entering an automatic car wash.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage
develops inside the tires. The ultimate result
can assume the form of a sudden blow-out.<
Determining loading limit
1.Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX lbs. or YYY kg. Otherwise, this could
damage the vehicle and produce unstable
vehicle operating conditions.<
2.Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX lbs. or YYY kg.
4.The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the XXX amount equals
1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb. pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs.:
1,400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.

Mobility
187Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communication
Navigation
Entertainment
3.Check and correct the tire inflation pressure
at the earliest opportunity.
Protect valve stems and valve stem
seal caps against dirt and contamina-
tion. Dirt in valve stems is a frequent source
of gradual air loss.<
4.Reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to
page80.
5.Replace the damaged tire with a new one as
soon as possible and have the new wheel
balanced.
Driving with compact wheel
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a speed of
50 mph/80 km/h.
The driving characteristics change, for example
reduced track stability on braking, extended
braking distance, and altered self-steering
characteristics in the limit range. In conjunction
with winter tires, these characteristics are more
pronounced.
Only one compact wheel may be
mounted. You should re-equip with
wheels and tires of the original size as quickly as
possible.<
Vehicle battery
Battery care
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, i.e., the
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate cli-
mate . Your BMW center will be glad to advise in
all matters concerning the battery.
Charging battery
Only charge the battery in the vehicle via the
terminals in the engine compartment with the
engine off. Connections, refer to Jump starting
on page190.
Disposal
Have old batteries disposed of by your
BMW center or hand them in to a recy-
cling center. Maintain the battery in an upright
position for transport and storage. Always
restrain the battery to prevent it from tipping
over during transport.<
Power failure
After a temporary power loss, the functioning of
some equipment may be limited and require
reinitialization. Individual settings are also lost
and must be updated again:
>Active steering
The system is deactivated and must be ini-
tialized, refer to page81. Until then, the
steering will react differently than usual.
>Seat, mirror and steering wheel memory
The positions must be stored again, refer to
page40.
>Time and Date
The settings must be updated, refer to
page74.
>Radio
Stations must be stored again, refer to
page140.
>Navigation system
You must wait until it becomes operational
again, refer to page128.
Fuses
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse and
do not replace a defective fuse with a sub-
stitute of another color or amperage rating, as
this could lead to a circuit overload, ultimately
resulting in a fire in the vehicle.<
Spare fuses, plastic tweezers and fuse alloca-
tion diagram are located in the compartment for
the onboard tool kit, refer to page182.

Reference 207
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communica-
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
E
Easy entry/exit45
– backrest width40
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on CD player132
Electrical malfunction
– door lock31
– driver's door31
– fuel filler door168
– glass sunroof37
– glass sunroof, electric37
– luggage compartment lid33
Electric steering wheel
adjustment45
Electronic brake-force
distribution77
Emergency call189
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock31
– driver's door31
– fuel filler door168
– glass sunroof37
– luggage compartment lid33
Emergency release of luggage
compartment lid from
luggage compartment's
interior33
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance190
"Emission inspect."67
"Enable services"162
"End call"155
Energy-conscious driving,
refer to Energy Control66
Energy Control66
Engine
– breaking-in106
– data196
– speed196
– starting51
– starting difficulties51
– switching off52
Engine compartment177
Engine coolant178Engine oil
– adding178
– checking the oil level177
– specified engine oils178
Engine output, refer to Engine
data196
Engine speed196
Engine starting, refer to
Starting engine51
"Enter address"116
Entering destination116
Entering the address115
Entering the intersection117
"Entertainment"133
"Entertainment settings"134
Entry map for destination117
"Equalizer", refer to Tone
control135
"ESN"142
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control78
Event Data Recorders181
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system106
Exterior mirrors45
– automatic dimming
feature107
– automatic heating45
Exterior rearview mirror
– passenger-side mirror tilt
function41
F
Fader, tone control134
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control67
False alarm, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms34
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts42
– warning lamp43
Fastest route for
navigation122
"Fast route" for
navigation122First aid, refer to First-aid
kit189
First-aid kit189
Flashlight98
– refer to Rechargeable
flashlight98
Flash when locking/
unlocking30
Flat tire
– changing wheels185
– compact wheel186
– Flat Tire Monitor80
– run-flat tires80,174
Flat Tire Monitor79
– false alarms80
– initializing system80
– malfunctions81
– snow chains175
– system limits80
– warning lamp80
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition173
"FM", reception
range133,138
FM, waveband138
Fog lamps88
– indicator lamp13,88
Folding down rear seat101
Folding rear seat back101
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely107
Footwell lamps89
Forward, fast
– CD changer147
– CD player147
For your own safety6
Front airbags83
Front armrest, refer to Center
armrest
– front98
Front seat adjustment38
"FTM"80
Fuel169
– capacity198
– display66
– high-quality brands169
– quality169
– specifications169

Everything from A to Z
208 Fuel consumption display
– computer, average fuel
consumption70
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gage66
Fuel filler door168
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction168
Fuel gage66
Fuses187
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control96
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel169
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gage66
Gear changes
– SMG Sequential manual
transmission54
Gear display
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic55
– SMG Sequential manual
transmission53
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic55
– manual transmission53
– SMG Sequential manual
transmission53
General driving notes106
Glass sunroof, electric35
– auto-remote operation from
outside31
– opening and closing
manually37
– remote control30
Glove compartment97
– lighting97
– rechargeable flashlight98
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system114Grills, refer to Ventilation93
Grills of the automatic climate
control90
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights198
H
Halogen lamps183
Handbrake52
– indicator lamp13,52
Hands-free system153
– refer to Microphone14
Hazard warning flashers15
Head airbags83
Headlamp control,
automatic87
Headlamp flasher56
Headlamps87
– care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– cleaning, refer to Wiper
system57
– replacing bulbs183
Head Light, refer to Adaptive
Head Light88
"Headphone operation
only"137
"Headphones"137
Head restraints41
– front head restraints,
active42
Head-Up Display84
Heated mirrors45
Heated rear window90
Heated seats43
Heated steering wheel46
Heating90
– exterior mirrors45
– interior90
– rear window90
– residual heat utilization92
– seats43
– steering wheel46
Heating while stationary92Heating with engine switched
off, refer to Residual heat
utilization92
Heavy cargo, refer to Securing
cargo109
Height, refer to
Dimensions197
Height adjustment
– seats39
– steering wheel45
High beams88
– headlamp flasher88
– indicator lamp13
– replacing bulbs183
High water, refer to Driving
through water107
Hills108
Holder for cups99
"Home address"122
Hood176
Horn10
Hot exhaust system106
"Hour memo"74
"House number" for desti-
nation entry117
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to DBC Dynamic Brake
Control77
Hydroplaning107
I
Ice warning65
iDrive, refer to Control
Center16
Ignition key28
Ignition key positions, refer to
Ignition lock51
Ignition lock51
Independent ventilation94
– activating the activation
time95
– preselecting activation
times94
– switching on and off
directly94

Reference 209
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communica-
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Indicator/warning lamps13
– ABS Antilock Brake
System79
– active steering81
– airbags84
– brake fluid179
– brake pads179
– brake system13,79
– DSC Dynamic Stability
Control13,78
– DTC Dynamic Traction
Control13,78
– Flat Tire Monitor80
– front fog lamps13
– overview13
– safety belt warning42
Individual air distribution92
Individually assignable
buttons on the steering
wheel46
Individual settings, refer to
Key Memory28
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure170
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor79
Information
– on another location118
– on current position118
– on destination location118
"Information" for
navigation119
"Information on
destination"119
Initializing, refer to Power
loss187
"Input map"118
Installation location
– CD changer147
– portable phone98
Instructions for navigation
system, refer to Voice
instructions125
Instrument cluster12
Instrument illumination, refer
to Instrument lighting89
Instrument lighting89Instrument panel
– refer to Cockpit10
– refer to Instrument
cluster12
Integrated universal remote
control96
"Interim time"73
Interior lamps89
– remote control30
Interior motion sensor34
– switching off34
Interior rearview mirror45
– automatic dimming
feature107
Interlock on automatic
transmission51
Intermittent mode of the
wipers57
J
Jacking points186
Joystick, refer to Control
Center16
Jumpering, refer to Jump
starting190
Jump starting190
K
Key Memory28
"Keypad"157
Keys28
Kick-down
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic56
– SMG Sequential manual
transmission54
Knock control169
L
Lamps, refer to Parking lamps/
low beams87
Lamps and bulbs182
"Languages"74
– for navigation126
Lashing down cargo, refer to
Securing cargo109
Lashing eyes, refer to
Securing cargo109
Last destinations, refer to
Destination list119
"Last seat pos."41
LATCH child-restraint fixing
system49
LEDs light-emitting
diodes185
Length, refer to
Dimensions197
Letter symbol with portable
phone157
License plate lamp, replacing
bulbs184
"Light"56,87
Light-emitting diodes
LEDs185
Lighter99
Lighter socket100
Lighting
– instruments89
– of the vehicle, refer to
Lamps87
Lights on warning87
Light switch87
"Limit"72
Loading
– securing cargo109
– stowing cargo109
– vehicle108
Location, navigation drive114
"Lock after driving off"32
Lock buttons in the doors,
refer to Locking32
Locking
– from inside32
– from outside30
– setting confirmation
signals30

Everything from A to Z
210 Locking and unlocking doors
– from inside31
– from outside29
– setting confirmation
signals30
"LOGIC7", refer to Tone
control135
Low beams87
– automatic87
– replacing bulbs183
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support39
Lug bolts186
– tightening torque, refer to
After mounting186
– wrench185
Luggage compartment
– capacity198
– opening/closing, refer to
Luggage compartment
lid32
– opening from inside32
– opening from outside32
– opening separately33
– opening with remote
control30
– socket100
Luggage compartment lid32
– emergency operation33
– locking and unlocking from
inside31
– locking separately33
– opening from inside32
– opening from outside32
– securing separately33
– unlocking manually33
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack110
Lumbar support39
LW, waveband138
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires175
Maintenance, refer to Service
and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models or
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian
models180
Maintenance system180
Malfunction warnings, refer to
Check Control67
Manual air distribution92
Manually controlled recircu-
lated air91
Manual mode
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic56
– SMG Sequential manual
transmission54
"Manual" on the radio139
Manual operation
– door lock31
– driver's door31
– glass sunroof37
Manual release
– fuel filler door168
– luggage compartment lid33
Manual transmission53
Map
– changing scale127
– destination entry117
"Map, direction of travel"127
"Map, facing north"127
Map facing north126
Master key with remote
control28
Maximum cooling91
Maximum roof weight198
Maximum speed
– for winter tires175
– with compact wheel187
Memory
– refer to Key Memory28
– refer to Seat, mirror and
steering wheel memory40Menus, refer to Control
Center16
Menu selection19
Microfilter94
Microphone
– for hands-free system153
– for portable phone14
– for voice command
system14
Mirrors45
– automatic curb monitor41
– dimming feature107
– folding in and out45
– heating45
– memory, refer to Seat, mirror
and steering wheel
memory40
"Missed calls"156
Missed calls156
Monitor, refer to Control
Center16
"Monitor display on"77
"Monitor on / off"46
Most recent portable phone
numbers156
Multi-function steering wheel,
refer to Buttons on steering
wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher56
– refer to Wiper/washer
system57
Music track, finding147
"Mute on / off"46
MW, waveband138
N
Navigation destination
– home address122
– manual entry115
– selecting via map117
Navigation drive, location114
Navigation DVD114