2006 BMW 325I SEDAN Indicator

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55Reference
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Reverse gear
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
When the gearshift lever is pressed to the left, a
slight resistance has to be overcome.
Sequential manual gearbox
SMG*
The concept
The sequential manual gearbox SMG is an
automated transmission in which operation of
the clutch and gearshifts are performed by an
electro-hydraulic system.
SMG is operated via the selector lever in the
center console and two shift paddles on the
steering wheel.
It offers you the following functions:
>Choice of manual or automatic operation:
sequential mode or Drive mode
>Choice of two driving programs: Normal or
Sport, refer to Dynamic Driving Control,
page56
>Automatic downshifting and prevention of
misshifting in sequential mode as well
>Acceleration assistant, refer to page57
Selector lever positions
The current selector lever position can be seen
on the center console.
>R: Reverse gear
>N: Neutral, idle
>One-touch functions for sequential mode:
+: manual upshifting
–: manual downshifting>D: Drive mode or sequential mode
N is automatically selected when the
driver's door is opened while the engine is
running, as long as the pedals, shift paddles and
selector lever are not operated.
This is indicated by an acoustic signal and a
flashing N in the instrument cluster.<
Gear indicator
R N 1 to 6
The gear currently engaged is displayed, pre-
ceded by a D in Drive mode.
This indicator is the only way you can
confirm whether or not the desired selec-
tor lever position is engaged.<
Shiftlock
Before moving the lever away from N with the
vehicle stationary, first depress the brake; oth-
erwise the desired gearshift will not be carried
out.
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
Gear-change mode
The gears can be changed in two different
ways.
>Sequential mode
Gears are shifted by means of the shift pad-
dles or the selector lever.
>D Drive mode
All forward gears are shifted automatically.
You can switch from one mode to the other by
pressing the selector lever towards the right in
the direction of D.

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Using turn signals
Press the lever beyond the resistance point.
To turn off manually, press the lever to the
resistance point.
Unusually rapid flashing of the indicator
lamp indicates that a turn signal indicator
has failed.
After switching off the ignition, make sure that
the roadside parking lamps are not switched
on.<
Indicating a turn briefly
Press the lever as far as the resistance point for
as long as you wish to indicate a turn.
Triple turn signal activation
Press the lever as far as the resistance point.
The turn signals flash three times.
You can activate or deactivate this function.
iDrive concept, refer to page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the
controller.
4.Select "Lighting" and press the controller.
5.Select "Triple turn signal activation" and
press the controller.
Triple turn signaling is activated.
Wiper system
1Switching on wipers
2Switching off wipers or brief wipe
3Activating/deactivating intermittent wipe or
rain sensor
*
4Cleaning windshield and headlamps*
5Setting speed for intermittent wipe, or sen-
sitivity of the rain sensor
Switching on wipers
The lever automatically returns to its initial posi-
tion when released.
Normal wiper speed
Press once.
The system switches to operation in the inter-
mittent mode when the vehicle is stationary.
Fast wiper speed
Press twice or press beyond the resistance
point.
The system switches to normal speed when the
vehicle is stationary.
Intermittent wipe or rain sensor*
If the car is not equipped with a rain sensor, the
intermittent-wipe time is a preset.
If the car is equipped with a rain sensor, the time
between wipes is controlled automatically and
depends on the intensity of the rainfall. The
sensor is mounted on the windshield, directly in
front of the interior rearview mirror.

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poor road surface, e.g. snow, rain, ice or loose
material.<
Manual transmission/SMG
You can shift gears while cruise control is acti-
vated. An indicator lamp notifies you that you
should shift gears when you drive for an
extended period at very high or very low engine
speeds, or the system is deactivated.
In Drive mode, the SMG acts similarly to an
automatic transmission in position D.
One lever for all functions
1Storing and maintaining speed or accelerat-
ing
2Storing and maintaining speed or deceler-
ating
3Deactivating cruise control
4Resuming a speed stored beforehand
Maintaining current speed
Tap the lever, arrow 1, or pull it briefly, arrow 2.
The car's current speed is stored and main-
tained. It is displayed in the speedometer and
briefly in the instrument cluster.
On uphill gradients, it may prove impossible to
maintain the set speed if current engine power
output is insufficient. If the engine braking
effect is insufficient on downhill slopes, the sys-
tem will brake the vehicle slightly.
Increasing desired speed
Repeatedly press the lever to the resistance
point or beyond, arrow1, until the desired
speed is reached.>Each time the lever is pressed to the resis-
tance point, the desired speed is increased
by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
>Each time the lever is pressed beyond the
resistance point, the desired speed is
increased by up to 5 mph or 10 km/h.
The system stores and maintains the speed.
Accelerating using the lever
Accelerating slightly:
Press the lever to the resistance point, arrow 1,
until the desired speed is reached.
Accelerating significantly:
Press the lever beyond the resistance point,
arrow 1, until the desired speed is reached.
The vehicle accelerates without pressure on
the accelerator pedal. The system stores and
maintains the speed.
Decreasing desired speed
Repeatedly pull the lever to the resistance point
or beyond, arrow 2, until the desired speed is
displayed.
>Each time the lever is pulled to the resis-
tance point, the desired speed is decreased
by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
>Each time the lever is pulled beyond the
resistance point, the desired speed is
re duc e d by up to 5 mph or 10 k m/h until the
minimum speed of 20 mph or 30 km/h is
achieved.
The system stores and maintains the speed.
If the speed is to be reduced significantly,
depress the brake; otherwise, decelera-
tion may be insufficient and dangerous situa-
tions could result.<
Deactivating cruise control
Tap the lever upwards or downwards, arrow3.
The displays in the speedometer disappear.
In addition, the system is automatically deacti-
vated:
>When you brake the vehicle

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becomes clear, your vehicle will accelerate to
the speed you have selected by increasing the
throttle setting and shifting gears automatically
or by the driver as needed. Your selected speed
will be held when driving downhill, too.
Since this active cruise control system is a new
technology and operates differently from con-
ventional 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 System
limitations section beginning on page66.
Braking sensation
The system's automatic brake operation results
in a braking sensation that is slightly different
from what you feel when you brake the vehicle
yourself in a similar situation. Possible noises
during automatic deceleration are normal.
Manual transmission/SMG
You can shift gears while cruise control is acti-
vated. An indicator lamp notifies you that you
should shift gears when you drive for an
extended period at very high or very low engine
speeds, or the system is deactivated.
In Drive mode, the SMG acts similarly to an
automatic transmission in position D.
Range of applications
The minimum desired speed is 20 mph or
30 km/h, and the maximum desired speed is
110 mph or 180 km/h.
As with conventional cruise control sys-
tems, active cruise control in no way
diminishes or substitutes for the driver’s own
personal responsibility, alertness and aware-
ness in adjusting speed, braking or otherwise
controlling the vehicle. The driver should
decide when to use the system on the basis of
road, traffic, visibility, and weather conditions.
Active cruise control is intended for use on
highway-type roadways where traffic is moving
relatively smoothly. Do not use this system in
city driving; heavy traffic such as during rush
hour; on curvy, winding roads, slippery roads or
roads with sharp curves such as highway off-ramps; during inclement weather such as snow,
strong rain or fog; or when entering inter-
changes, service/parking areas or toll booths.
It is also important to regulate your vehicle's
speed and distance setting within applicable
legal limits. Always be ready to take action or
apply the brakes if necessary, especially when
the system is actively following a vehicle in front
of you. Otherwise, driving conditions could
result which violate the law or pose a risk of
accident.<
One lever for all functions
1Store and increase desired speed
2Store and decrease desired speed
3Deactivate system, refer to page65
4Resume stored desired speed and dis-
tance, refer to page65
5Select distance to vehicle driving ahead,
refer to page64
Maintaining current speed
Briefly press the lever, arrow 1, or briefly pull it,
arrow 2, at a driving speed of more than approx.
20 mph or 30 km/h.

Driving
66 Flashes in red: system cannot maintain dis-
tance; driver must brake the vehicle
Flashes in yellow: driving stability control
systems are intervening; cruise control is
deactivated
3Selected distance to vehicle ahead
The indicator lights up as soon as the sys-
tem is activated.
4Selected desired speed is temporarily dis-
played
If --- mph or --- km/h temporarily appears
in the instrument cluster display, it is pos-
sible that the system prerequisites for operation
are currently not met. Calling up Check Control
messages, refer to page80.<
Warning lamps
The indicator2 flashes in red; a
signal sounds.
The system indicates that you
must brake and/or maneuver the
vehicle yourself. Active cruise con-
trol cannot automatically restore the distance to
the vehicle ahead.
This indicator does not release you from your
responsibility to adapt your desired speed and
driving style to prevailing driving conditions.
The indicator 2 flashes in yellow.
The prerequisites for operating
active cruise control are not met,
e.g. as a result of ABS or DSC interventions. Active cruise control is deacti-
vated. You can reactivate the system, if desired,
by tapping or pulling the lever when road and
traffic conditions permit. It is not possible to
resume a stored speed.
Radar sensor
The sensor's ability to detect vehicles ahead
may be restricted as a result of heavy rain, dirt,
snow or ice. If necessary, clean the radar sensor
located in the front bumper, see arrow. Be sure
to use particular care when removing any layers
of snow or ice from the sensor.
When the radar sensor is not properly posi-
tioned, active cruise control cannot be activated
at all.
Malfunction
The warning lamp comes on when
the system has failed. A message
appears on the Control Display. You
can find more information starting on page79.
System limitations
Always remember that the range and abil-
ity of the system does have physical limi-
tations. It will not apply the brakes or decelerate your vehicle when there is a slow-moving vehi-
cle, stopped vehicle or stationary object ahead
of you, as for example, at a traffic light or a

Everything under control
70
Energy Control
Displays the current fuel consumption. This
allows you to see whether your current driving
style is conducive to fuel economy with mini-
mum exhaust emissions.
Fuel gauge
Fuel tank capacity: approx. 15.9 US gallons/
60 liters. You can find information on refueling
on page186.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies for a longer period,
when you are driving in mountainous areas, for
example, the indicator may fluctuate slightly.
Reserve
Once the fuel level has fallen to the reserve
zone, a message briefly appears on the Control
Display and the cruising range for the remaining
amount of fuel is displayed on the computer.
Under a cruising range of approx. 30 miles/
50 km, the message remains in the Control Dis-
play.
Refuel as soon as possible once your
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not
ensured and damage can occur.<
Computer
Displays in the instrument cluster
To call up the information, press the button in
the turn indicator stalk.
The following items of information are dis-
played in the order listed:
>Cruising range
>Average speed
>Average fuel consumption
To set the corresponding units of measure,
refer to Units of measure on page73.
Cruising range
Displays the estimated cruising range available
with the remaining fuel. The range is calculated
on the basis of the way the car has been driven
over the last 18 miles/30 km and the amount of
fuel currently in the tank.
B e s u r e t o r e f u e l a s s o o n a s p o s s i b l e o n c e
your cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not
ensured and damage can occur.<
Average speed
Periods with the vehicle parked and the engine
switched off are not included in the calculations
of average speed.
With the trip computer, refer to page71, you
can have the average speed for another trip dis-
played.
To reset average speed: press the button in the
turn indicator stalk for approx. 2 seconds.

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Average fuel consumption
The average fuel consumption is calculated for
the time during which the engine is running.
With the trip computer, refer to page71, you
can have the average consumption for another
trip displayed.
To reset average fuel consumption: press the
button in the turn indicator stalk for approx.
2seconds.
Displays on the Control Display
You can also call up the computer via iDrive;
concept, refer to page16.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller to the right to call up
"Navigation".
3.If necessary, move the highlight marker to
the uppermost field. Turn the controller
until "Car Data" is selected and press the
controller.
4.Select "Onboard info" and press the con-
troller.>Estimated time of arrival at destination:
>Manually enter a distance in the com-
puter, refer to information further below
>Enter a destination in the navigation sys-
tem, refer to page125
>Cruising range
>Distance to destination:
>Manually enter a distance in the com-
puter, refer to information further below
>Enter a destination in the navigation sys-
tem, refer to page125
>Average speed
>Average fuel consumption
Resetting values
You can reset the values for average speed and
average consumption:
1.Select the respective menu item and press
the controller.
2.Press the controller again to confirm your
selection.
Entering a distance manually
1.Select "Distance to dest." and press the
controller.
2.Turn the controller to select the distance to
your destination.
3.Press the controller to apply the setting.
The distance is automatically entered during
destination guidance.
Trip computer
The trip computer is suitable e.g. for a holiday
trip.

Everything under control
74 4.Select "Units" and press the controller.
5.Select the desired menu item and press the
controller.
6.Select the desired measurement unit and
press the controller.

Service requirements
The remaining driving distance and the date of
the next scheduled service are displayed briefly
immediately after you start the engine or switch
on the ignition.
The extent of service work required can
be read out from the remote control by
your BMW Service Advisor.<
For certain maintenance operations, you can
view the respective distance remaining or due
date individually in the instrument cluster.1.Lightly push button 1 in the turn indicator
stalk up or down repeatedly until the appro-
priate symbol appears in the display,
accompanied by the words "SERVICE-
INFO".
2.Press button 2.
3.Use button 1 to scroll through the individual
service items.