2006 BMW 525I warning light

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13Reference
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Indicator and warning lamps
The concept
Indicator and warning lamps can light up both in
the display area1 and in the display2 in various
combinations and colors.
Some lights are tested for proper function by
briefly lighting up during starting of the engine
or when the ignition is switched on.
Explanatory text messages
Text message at the bottom edge of the Con-
trol Display explain the meaning of the dis-
played indicator and warning lamps.
Additional information, e.g. on the cause of a
malfunction and on the corresponding need to
take action can be displayed via the Check Con-
trol, refer to page77.In the case of corresponding urgency, this infor-
mation is displayed immediately when the
related lamp lights up.
Indicator lamps without text messages
The following indicator lamps in the display
area1 indicate that the associated functions
are activated:
Handbrake engaged58
Handbrake engaged for Canadian
models
Fog lamps
*97
DTC Dynamic Traction Control85
High beams/headlamp flasher95
Lamp flashes:
DSC or DTC controls the drive and
braking forces for maintaining vehicle
stability85

Controls
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>To changes in the vehicle's tilt if someone
attempts to steal the wheels or tow the
vehicle
>To interruptions in battery voltage
Unauthorized operations are briefly signaled by
the alarm system:
>with an acoustic alarm
>by switching on
the hazard warning flashers
>by flashing the high beams
Arming and disarming alarm system
When you lock or unlock the vehicle, either with
the remote control or at the door lock, the alarm
system is armed or disarmed at the same time.
The luggage compartment lid/tailgate can also
be opened with the system armed with the
button on the remote control, refer to page33.
When the luggage compartment lid/tailgate is
closed, it is locked and monitored again.
Switching off alarm
>Unlock the vehicle using the remote control,
refer to page30, or
>insert the remote control as far as possible
into the ignition lock, refer to page56.
Indicator lamp displays
>The indicator lamp under the inside rear-
view mirror flashes continuously: the sys-
tem is armed.
>The indicator lamp flashes after locking:
doors, luggage compartment lid/tailgate or
rear window
* is/are not closed. Even if you
do not close the alerted area, the system
begins to monitor the remaining areas, and
the indicator lamp flashes continuously after approx. 10 seconds. However, the
interior motion sensor is not activated.
>The indicator lamp goes out after unlocking:
your vehicle has not been disturbed while
you were away.
>The indicator lamp flashes after unlocking
until the remote control is inserted into the
ignition lock, however for a maximum of
approx. 5 minutes: your vehicle has been
disturbed while you were away.
Tilt alarm sensor
The tilt of the vehicle is monitored. The alarm
system reacts, e.g. in case of an attempted
wheel theft or towing.
Interior motion sensor
In order for the interior motion sensor to func-
tion properly, the windows and glass sunroof
*
must be completely closed.
Avoiding unintentional alarms
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor
may be switched off at the same time. This pre-
vents unintentional alarms, e.g. in the following
situations:
>In stacking garages
>When transporting on car-carrying trains
>When animals are to remain in the vehicle
Switching off tilt alarm sensor and
interior motion sensor
Press the button on the remote control
once again directly after locking.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and then
flashes continuously. The tilt alarm sensor and
the interior motion sensor are switched off until
the next time the vehicle is unlocked and subse-
quently locked again.
Comfort access*
Comfort access enables you to access your
vehicle without having to hold the remote con-
trol in your hand. It is sufficient to carry the

Opening and closing
38 remote control with you, e.g. in your jacket
pocket. The vehicle automatically detects the
related remote control in the immediate vicinity
or in the interior.
Comfort access supports the following func-
tions:
>Unlocking/locking vehicle
>Starting engine
>Comfort locking
Functional requirement
>The vehicle can only be unlocked if the
vehicle detects that the remote control car-
ried is located outside the vehicle.
>The next unlocking and locking cycle is not
possible until after approx. 2 seconds.
>The engine can only be started if the vehicle
detects that the remote control carried is
located in the vehicle.
Special features in contrast to ordinary
remote control
It is basically irrelevant whether you operate the
functions mentioned previously with the com-
fort access feature or by pressing the buttons
on the remote control. Therefore, please famil-
iarize yourself with the information on opening
and closing beginning on page28 beforehand.
The special features when using comfort
access are described in the following.
Releasing
Completely grasp a door handle, arrow1.
This corresponds to pressing the button.If a remote control is detected in the interior
after unlocking, the electric steering-wheel lock
unlocks, refer to page56.
Locking
Touch the surface, arrow2 on the driver's door
or3 on the other doors with a finger for approx.
1 second. This corresponds to pressing the
button.
For comfort closing, hold a finger on the sur-
face, arrow2 or 3.
If a remote control accidentally left in the
luggage compartment/cargo area is
detected in the locked vehicle after closing the
luggage compartment lid/tailgate, the lid/tail-
gate opens again. The hazard warning flashers
flash and an acoustic signal
* sounds.<
Switching on radio readiness
By briefly pressing the Start/Stop button, you
switch on the radio readiness, refer to page56.
When doing so, do not depress the brake
pedal, otherwise the engine will start
immediately.<
Starting engine
You can start the engine or switch on the switch
on ignition if a remote control is located in the
interior of the vehicle. It need not be inserted in
the ignition lock, refer to page56.
If you take the remote control with you when
leaving the vehicle with the engine running, a
warning lamp lights up. In addition, a message
appears on the Control Display. As long as no
remote control is detected in the vehicle, it is
only possible to restart the engine within
approx. 10 seconds after it is switched off.
Switching off engine with automatic
transmission
The engine can only be switched off in the
selector lever position P, refer to page58.
To switch off the engine in the selector lever
position N, the remote control must be inserted
in the ignition lock.

Driving
56
Driving
Ignition lock
Insert the remote control as far as possible into
the ignition lock.
>Radio readiness switches on.
Some current consumers are ready for
operation.
>The electric steering-wheel lock audibly
unlocks.
Before moving the vehicle, insert the
remote control into the ignition lock,
otherwise the electric steering-wheel lock will
not be unlocked and the vehicle cannot be
steered.<
Removing remote control from ignition
lock
Briefly press in the remote control; it is pushed
out somewhat.
At the same time:
>The ignition is switched off if it was still
switched on.
>The electric steering-wheel lock audibly
locks.
Automatic transmission
The remote control can only be removed when
the selector lever position P is selected: inter-
lock.
Start/Stop button
Briefly pressing the Start/Stop button several
times switches the radio readiness or the igni-
tion on and off.
Briefly pressing the Start/Stop button
with the brake or clutch pedal depressed
starts the engine.<
Radio readiness
Some current consumers are ready for opera-
tion. The time and outside temperature are dis-
played in the instrument cluster.
Radio readiness is automatically switched off:
>immediately when the remote control is
removed from the ignition lock
>with comfort access
* by touching the sen-
sitive surface on the door handle, refer to
Locking on page38
Ignition on
Most indicator and warning lamps in the display
area1 of the instrument cluster, refer to
page13, light up for different periods.
Radio readiness and ignition off
All indicator and warning lamps in the instru-
ment cluster go out.

Driving
66 fares. Especially 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 you 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. You can vary the distance, which
is additionally speed-dependent. Based on
your selected distance setting, the system
automatically decreases the throttle setting and
lightly applies the brakes if necessary. The vehi-
cle brake lamps will automatically illuminate to
signal a following driver to take action. In addi-
tion, 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 vehicle will acceler-
ate to the speed you have selected by increas-
ing the throttle setting and shifting gears auto-
matically or by the driver as needed. Your
selected speed will be held when driving down-
hill, too.
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 begin-
ning on page69.<
Navigation system Professional*
If a navigation DVD is in the drive, refer to
page124, the system adjusts the accelerating
and braking behavior of the vehicle to the road
you are driving on.
When the vehicle position is unknown, e.g.
when you leave the map area, this influence of
the navigation system is not available.
Manual transmission
You can shift with the cruise control activated.
Shifting information is provided or the system
deactivates itself if you drive at very high or very
low engine speeds for a longer period.
SMG
In the Sequential mode, shifting information is
provided or the system deactivates itself if you
drive at very high engine speeds for a longer
period.
In the Drive mode the SMG acts similarly to an
automatic transmission in the D position.
Operating active cruise control
1Store and increase desired speed
2Store and decrease desired speed
3Deactivate system, refer to page68
4Resume stored desired speed and dis-
tance, refer to page68
5Select distance to vehicle driving ahead,
refer to page67
Maintaining current speed
Briefly press lever, arrow1, or briefly pull,
arrow2, at a driving speed of more than approx.
20 mph or 30 km/h.

Controls
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be that conditions necessary for operation are
not currently being met. To call up Check Con-
trol messages, refer to page77.<
Warning lamps
The display2 flashes red and a sig-
nal sounds.
The system requests that you
intervene by braking or with an
evasive maneuver. The active
cruise control cannot automatically restore the
distance to the vehicle driving ahead.
However, this display cannot relieve the driver
of the responsibility for adjusting the desired
speed and driving style to the traffic conditions.
The display 2 flashes yellow.
Automatic intervention by ABS or
DSC. The active cruise control
intervenes by braking until you
take over actively.
Radar sensor
Heavy rain, dirt, snow or ice can restrict the
detection of vehicles driving ahead. If neces-
sary, clean the front radar sensor under the
bumper. Exercise particular care when remov-
ing snow and ice.
If the sensor is not aligned properly, the active
cruise control cannot be activated.
Things to know about active cruise control
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.<
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
parked vehicle. Also, the system does not react

Everything under control
72
Everything under control
Odometer, outside
temperature display, clock
1Time, outside temperature and data
2Odometer and trip odometer
3Press button:
>with ignition switched on, trip odometer
is reset
>briefly display the time, outside temper-
ature and odometer with the ignition
switched off
From radio readiness the outside temperature
and the time are displayed.
Date retrieval:
Press CHECK button on turn signal lever, refer
to page78.
Time and date setting, refer to page80.
You can set the unit of measure 7 or 6 on the
Control Display, refer to Units of measure on
page81.
Outside temperature warning
If the display drops to +377/+36, a signal
sounds and a warning lamp lights up. There is
an increased danger of ice.
Even at temperatures above +377/
+36 ice can form. Therefore, drive care-
fully, e.g. on bridges and sections of road in the
shade, otherwise there is an increased accident
risk.<
Tachometer
The white-striped advance warning field,
arrow1, changes depending on the engine
temperature. With increasing engine tempera-
ture the advance warning field becomes corre-
spondingly smaller. Avoid allowing the engine
speed to rise as far as the orange warning sec-
tor whenever possible.
Be sure to avoid engine speeds in the red warn-
ing field, arrow2. In this range, the fuel supply is
interrupted to protect the engine.
Coolant temperature
Should the coolant, and with it the engine
become too hot, a warning lamp lights up. In
addition, a message appears on the Control
Display.
Checking coolant level, refer to page199.

Controls
77Reference
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9.Press the controller to apply the setting.
The year is highlighted.
10.Turn the controller to make the adjustment.
11.Press the controller to apply the setting.
The date entry is stored.
To exit the menu:
Select the arrow and press the controller.
Check Control
The concept
The Check Control monitors functions in the
vehicle and issues a message if there is a mal-
function in the monitored systems. This kind of
Check Control message consists of indicator
and warning lamps in the instrument cluster,
and if necessary an acoustic signal and text
messages at the bottom of the Control Display.
Indicator and warning lamps
Indicator and warning lamps can light up both in
the display area1 and in the display2 in various
combinations and colors.
means that a Check Control message has
been generated. The symbol continues to be
visible even when the Check Control message disappears after a short time. The warning
lamps and text messages are stored and can be
displayed later, also refer to page78.
Explanatory text messages
Text message at the bottom edge of the Con-
trol Display explain the meaning of the dis-
played indicator and warning lamps.
You can display additional information on most
Check Control messages later, e.g. on the
cause of the malfunction and on corresponding
need for action, see below.
In the case of corresponding urgency, this infor-
mation is displayed immediately when the
related lamp lights up.
Exit the displayed information:
Select the arrow and press the controller.
Importance of Check Control
messages
Important Check Control messages continue to
be displayed until the malfunctions have been
corrected. They cannot be deleted. If a number
of malfunctions occur simultaneously, they are
displayed in succession.
Less important messages disappear after
approx. 20 seconds, but remain in memory.