2005 BMW 645CI CONVERTIBLE Owners Manual

Driving
56 Vehicles with manual or SMG transmission:
When parking on inclines, engage the hand-
brake, as even engaging the first or reverse gear
might not under certain circumstances secure
the vehicle against moving.
Vehicles with automatic transmission
*:
Engage selector-lever position P.<
To prevent corrosion and one-sided brak-
ing action, occasionally engage the hand-
brake lightly when the vehicle is slowly coming
to a stop if the traffic conditions are suitable.<
Manual transmission
When shifting into 5th/6th gear, press the
selector lever toward the right, otherwise
an inadvertent shift into 3rd or 4th gear could
damage the engine.<
Reverse gear
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
When pressing the gearshift lever to the left,
overcome some resistance.
The backup lamps automatically switch on in
ignition key position 2.
SMG Sequential manual
transmission*
The concept
The SMG Sequential manual transmission is an
automated manual transmission in which an
electrohydraulic system handles the clutching
and gear changes.You operate the SMG using the selector lever in
the center console and two shift paddles on the
steering wheel.
It offers the following functions:
>Choice of manual or automatic mode:
Sequential mode or Drive mode
>Options of two drive programs: Normal or
Sport, refer to Dynamic Driving Control
page59
>Automatic downshifting and protection
against incorrect shifting even in sequential
operation
>Kick-down function in the Drive mode
>Acceleration assistant, refer to page59.
The SMG is operational in ignition key
position 2.
Selector-lever positions
The current selector-lever position is displayed
on the center console.
>R: Reverse gear
>N: Neutral, idle
>One-touch functions for Sequential mode:
+: manual upshifting
–: manual downshifting
>D: Drive mode
The transmission automatically shifts into
N if the driver's door is opened with the
engine running and neither the pedals, the shift
paddles nor the selector lever are operated.
This is indicated by an acoustic signal and the
flashing display N in the instrument cluster.<

Controls
57Reference
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Gear display
R N 1 to 6
The currently engaged gear is displayed pre-
ceded by a D in Drive mode.
Shiftlock
Press the brake pedal before shifting out of N;
the shift command will not be executed unless
the brake is applied.
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
Sequential mode
After every engine start, as soon as the selector
lever is pushed to the right and the brake pedal
is pressed, the Sequential mode is activated.
You can shift up and down using the shifting
paddles or the selector lever. You do not need
to remove your foot from the accelerator to do
so.
It is also possible to start off in second gear, e.g.
in slippery conditions.
D Drive mode
In the Drive mode, all forward gears are shifted
automatically.
To switch from Sequential to Drive mode:
Briefly press the selector lever to the right
toward D.
Kick-down:
For rapid acceleration, e.g. passing, press the
accelerator pedal as far down as it will go: you
achieve maximum acceleration.To switch back to the Sequential mode: press
selector lever to the right again toward D or shift
using the shifting paddles or the selector lever.
Start off quickly on slopes. Do not hold
the vehicle on a hill by applying the throt-
tle, but engage the handbrake instead. Other-
wise overheating can occur in the transmission
region.<
Gear changes
Using selector lever
>To upshift, pull the selector lever back.
>To downshift, push the selector lever for-
ward.
Using shift paddles on steering wheel
>To shift up, pull one of the shift paddles.
>To shift down, press.
In the following situations, the SMG in the
Sequential mode assists you:
>Upshifts and downshifts are executed only
when they will res ult in a plausible combina-
tion of engine and vehicle speed; thus, for
example, a downshift that would cause the
engine to overrev will not be executed by
the system.
>When the vehicle is stationary, the trans-
mission automatically downshifts into first
gear.
>Shortly before dropping below a gear-
dependent minimum speed, the transmis-
sion downshifts automatically even without
your intervention.

Driving
58
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic*
In addition to the fully automatic mode, you can
also shift manually with Steptronic, refer to
page58.
Selector-lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Displays in instrument cluster
P R N D DS M1 to M6
The selector lever position is indicated, and in
the manual mode, the gear currently engaged.
Changing the selector-lever positions
An interlock prevents inadvertent gearshifts
into selector-lever positions R and P. To cancel
the interlock, press the button on the front of
the selector lever knob, refer to arrow.
Shiftlock
Press the brake pedal before shifting out of P
or N; the shift command will not be executed
unless the brake is applied.
To prevent the vehicle from creeping after you
select a driving position, maintain pressure on
the brake pedal until you are ready to start.To prevent the vehicle from rolling,
always select selector-lever position P
and engage the handbrake before leaving the
vehicle with the engine running.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the
engine running, as such a vehicle represents a
potential safety hazard.<
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
The rear wheels are locked.
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
N Neutral
Engage in car washes, for example. The vehicle
can roll.
D Drive, automatic position
Position for normal vehicle operation.
All forward gears are available.
Under normal operating conditions, fuel con-
sumption is lowest when driving in position D.
Kick-down
The kick-down mode provides maximum accel-
eration:
Press the accelerator pedal beyond the full-
throttle resistance point.
M/S manual operation and
Sport program
Move the selector lever from position D to the
left into shifting slot M/S:
The sport program is activated and DS appears
in the instrument cluster. This position is

Controls
59Reference
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recommended for a performance-oriented driv-
ing style. It is engaged automatically when the
Dynamic Driving Control is activated, see
below.
When the selector lever is briefly moved for-
ward or back, the manual mode is activated and
the Steptronic shifts gear. The instrument clus-
ter shows M1 through M6.
Upshifts and downshifts are executed only
when they will result in a plausible combination
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 instrument
cluster, followed by the current gear.
To use the automatic function again, move the
selector lever to the right into position D.
Dynamic Driving Control
The Dynamic Driving Control makes it possible
for your BMW to react in an even more perfor-
mance-oriented manner at the push of a button:
>The engine responds more spontaneously
to accelerator pedal movements.
>Cruise control:
The stored speed is reached more quickly
when it is requested.
Additionally with SMG:
>Gearshifts are faster.
>The engine speed range is used optimally in
the Drive mode.
With automatic transmission:
>The Sport program is activated.
Activating system
In ignition key position 2, press the SPORT but-
ton.
The LED in the button lights up and SPORT is
displayed in the instrument cluster.
Deactivating system
>Press the SPORT button again or
>engage reverse gear or
>switch off the engine.
The LED in the button and SPORT in the instru-
ment cluster go out.
Acceleration assistant with SMG
The acceleration assistant enables optimized
vehicle acceleration at racing car level on road
surfaces with good adhesion when starting off.
Do not use the acceleration assistant too
often, as otherwise components will wear
prematurely.<
1.Activate the Dynamic Driving Control.
2.Press the DTC button, refer to page82, for
longer than three seconds.
3.Press the accelerator pedal down fully:
Kick-down. The ideal starting-off engine
speed is set.
To maintain driving stability, do not deac-
tivate DSC if at all possible.<

Driving
60
Turn signals/
headlamp flasher
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Turn signals
Using turn signals
Move the lever beyond the resistance point.
To switch off manually, press the lever to the
resistance point.
Atypically rapid flashing of the indicator
lamp indicates the failure of a turn signal
lamp.<
Brief signaling
Press the lever to the resistance point and hold
it there as long as you wish to signal.
Triple turn signal activation
Press the lever to the resistance point; the turn
signals flash three times.
You can activate or deactivate this function.
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page16.
1.Open the menu.
2.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the
controller.3.Select "Light" and press the controller.
4.Select "Triple turn signal activation" and
press the controller.
Triple turn signal is activated.
Wiper system
1Switching on wipers
2Switching off wipers or brief wipe
3Activating/deactivating rain sensor
4Cleaning windshield and headlamps
5Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level
Switching on wipers
The lever automatically returns to its initial posi-
tion when released.
Standard wiper speed
Press once.
The system reverts to operation in the intermit-
tent mode whenever the vehicle is stationary.
Fast wipe
Briefly press twice or press beyond the resis-
tance point.

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61Reference
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The system reverts to operation at normal
speed whenever the vehicle is stationary.
Rain sensor
Wiper operation is controlled automatically as a
function of the rain intensity. The rain sensor is
located on the windshield, directly in front of the
interior rearview mirror.
Activating rain sensor
Press button. The LED in the button lights up.
Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level
Turn the serrated dial 5.
Deactivating rain sensor
Press the button again. The LED goes out.
Deactivate the rain sensor when passing
through an automatic car wash. Failure to
do so could result in damage caused by undes-
ired wiper activation.<
Cleaning windshield and headlamps
The system sprays washer fluid against the
windshield and activates the wipers for a brief
period.
When the vehicle lighting system is switched
on, the headlamps are also cleaned at regular
and appropriate intervals.
Do not use the washers if there is any
danger that the fluid will freeze on the
windshield. If you do so, your vision could be
obscured. To avoid freezing, use a washer fluid
antifreeze, refer to Washer fluid.
Do not use washers when the washer fluid res-
ervoir is empty, as otherwise the washer pump
will be damaged.<
Windshield washer nozzles
The windshield washer nozzles are automati-
cally heated in ignition key position 2.
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable.
Always keep it well away from sparks and
open flames, and store it in tightly closed con-
tainers well out of the reach of children. Always
observe the instructions for use provided on the
containers.<
Washer fluid reservoir
Capacity approx. 5.3 US quarts/5 liters
Fill with water and – if required – with a washer
antifreeze, according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
In order maintain the mixture ratio, mix
the washer fluid before filling.<
Cruise control
The concept
The cruise control is available for use at speeds
of approx. 20 mph/30 km/h and higher. The
vehicle maintains and stores the speed that you
set using the lever mounted on the steering col-
umn.
Do not use the cruise control under driv-
ing conditions that do not permit a con-
stant speed, e.g.when driving on winding roads,
in heavy traffic or in poor road conditions such
as snow, rain, ice, and loose road surface.<

Driving
62
One lever for all functions
1Maintaining speed, storing speed, and
accelerating
2Maintaining speed, storing speed, and
decelerating
3Interrupting cruise control
4Recalling stored speed
Maintaining speed, storing speed, and
accelerating
Press the lever up to the resistance point1:
The system maintains and stores the current
vehicle speed. The display 1 in the speedome-
ter indicates this regulated speed, refer to the
section below. Every time you briefly press the
lever, the vehicle speed increases by roughly
1mph/1km/h.
Press the lever up to the resistance point and
hold it:
The vehicle accelerates without pressure on
the accelerator pedal. The system maintains
and stores your current speed as soon as you
release the lever.
Press the lever beyond the resistance point:
The speed increases by 5 mph/10 km/h.
The vehicle may accelerate beyond the regu-
lated speed on steep downhill stretches where
the engine's braking effect alone may not be
sufficient to slow the vehicle. Speed can drop
on uphill grades if the engine output is insuffi-
cient.
Maintaining speed, storing speed, and
decelerating
Pull the lever2:
Functions are the same as 1, only the vehicle
speed is reduced.
Interrupting cruise control
With the cruise control active, briefly press the
lever up or down3.
Cruise control is also interrupted automatically
>when you apply pressure to the brake pedal
>when you press down the clutch pedal or
engage position N of the automatic trans-
mission/SMG
>when DSC comes on
Recalling stored speed
Briefly press button4: the vehicle accelerates
to and maintains the stored speed.
Deactivating system
When the ignition is switched off, the system is
deactivated and the stored speed is deleted.
Displays in instrument cluster
1Display for stored speed
2Brief display of selected speed
Active cruise control*
The concept
With active cruise control, you can select a
desired speed which is not only automatically
maintained when driving on open roadways, but
also varied to maintain a selected distance set-
ting as slower traffic is encountered.
Active cruise control is a technological advance
over the familiar cruise control and is a welcome
relief from the constant adjustment of speed
that can accompany driving in traffic on free-
ways or other high-speed thoroughfares. Espe-

Controls
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cially on longer trips, the system can reduce
fatigue and tension, while increasing your
enjoyment of driving. Please use it safely and
responsibly.
In addition to holding a steady cruising speed, if
you encounter slower vehicles ahead, active
cruise control will, within the scope of given
possibilities, adjust your vehicle's speed auto-
matically so that one can flow with the traffic
without having to make constant adjustments.
If, for example, while cruising at the selected
speed, you begin to approach a slower vehicle
ahead of you in the same lane, the system will
reduce your vehicle's speed to the same as that
of the vehicle ahead to maintain your selected
distance setting between your vehicle and the
vehicle ahead. There are four settings for dis-
tance, which are additionally speed-dependent.
Based on your selected distance setting, the
system automatically decreases the throttle
setting and lightly applies the brakes if neces-
sary. The vehicle brake lamps will automatically
illuminate to signal a following driver to take
action. In addition, it may be necessary for the
vehicle or the driver to downshift, depending on
the kind of transmission your vehicle is
equipped with, to maintain the distance setting
selected. If the vehicle ahead speeds up or
when the lane ahead becomes clear, your vehi-
cle will accelerate to the speed you have
selected by increasing the throttle setting and
shifting gears automatically or by the driver as
needed.
Active cruise control is not and must not
be used as a collision avoidance/warning
system.<
Since this active cruise control system is
a new technology and operates differ-
ently from conventional cruise control systems
which you may be accustomed to, you are
strongly urged to read all of the pages relating
to this system before use. Pay special attention
to the information contained in the Things to
know about active cruise control section in this
manual beginning on page66. You can use the system in the 2nd to 6th gear
within a normal engine speed range and also
change gears. Continuous operation at very
high or very low engine speeds is not possible.
In this case the driver is asked to shift or the
system deactivates itself.
Vehicles with SMG
Continuous operation at very high engine
speeds is not possible in the Sequential mode.
In this case the driver is asked to shift or the
system deactivates itself.
In the Drive mode the SMG acts similarly to the
automatic transmission in the D position.
Operating active cruise control
1Activate system, store and increase desired
speed
2Activate system, store and decrease
desired speed
3Deactivate system
4Recall the stored speed and distance or
increase desired speed by 1 mph/1 km/h
with each press of the button
5Select distance to vehicle driving ahead.
You can choose from four available distance
settings. You will find more detailed infor-
mation on page65.
Adjust your desired speed to the traffic
conditions and remain ready to brake at
all times. Great differences in speed to the vehi-
cles driving ahead, e. g. when quickly approach-
ing a truck or when another vehicle swerves into
your lane, cannot be compensated for by the
system.<