2006 BMW 650I CONVERTIBLE ABS

Things to remember when driving
114
Things to remember when driving
Breaking-in
Moving parts need time to adjust to one
another. To ensure that your vehicle continues
to provide optimized economy of operation
throughout an extended service life, we request
that you devote careful attention to the follow-
ing section.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at changing engine and driving speeds,
however do not exceed 4,500 rpm or 100 mph/
160 km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kick-down mode during these
initial miles.
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km
The engine and vehicle speed can gradually be
increased.
SMG Sequential Manual Gearbox
Do not use the acceleration assistant during the
break-in period, refer to page64.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full
traction potential until after an initial break-in
period. It is therefore important to drive reserv-
edly during the first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized
contact and wear patterns between brake pads
and rotors. Drive in a reserved manner during
this break-in period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch is only at its opti-
mized level after a distance driven of approx.
300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period,
engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
Observe the break-in instructions again if com-
ponents mentioned above must be replaced
after subsequent driving operation.
General driving notes
Closing luggage compartment lid
Only drive with the luggage compartment
lid completely closed, otherwise exhaust
can penetrate into the passenger compart-
ment.<
If special circumstances should make it abso-
lutely necessary to operate the vehicle with the
luggage compartment lid open:
1.Coupe: close both windows and the glass
sunroof.
Convertible: with closed top, close all win-
dows.
2.Increase the air volume of the automatic
climate control to a high level, refer to
page102.
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles, extremely high temper-
atures are generated in the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed
adjacent to it, and never apply undercoating to
them. When driving, standing at idle and while
parking, take care to avoid possible contact
between the hot exhaust system and any highly
flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass,
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, and with it
the risk of serious property damage as well as
personal injury.<

Driving tips
115Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Mobile communications devices in
vehicle
BMW advises against using mobile com-
munications devices, e.g. mobile phones,
inside the vehicle without a direct connection
to an external antenna. Otherwise, the vehicle
electronics and mobile communications device
can interfere with one another. In addition, there
is no assurance that the radiation emitted dur-
ing transmission will be conveyed out of the
vehicle interior.<
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, also refer to Mini-
mum tire tread on page187.
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
vehicle's engine, electrical systems and trans-
mission 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 Gearbox
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.<
Starting assistant
The starting assistant enables you to start off
conveniently on slopes. The parking brake is
not required for this purpose.
1.Hold the vehicle with the footbrake.
2.Release the footbrake and immediately
drive off quickly.
The starting assistant holds the vehicle
for approx. 2 seconds after releasing the
footbrake. Depending on the load, the vehicle
may also roll back slightly during this time.
After releasing the footbrake, immediately start
quickly; otherwise, the starting assistant no
longer holds the vehicle after approx. 2 seconds
and it begins to roll back.<
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 at the brake pedal combines with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits to indicate to
the driver 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 driving on wet roads or in heavy rain, it is
a good idea to apply light pressure to the brake
pedal every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions
to ensure that this maneuver does not endan-
ger 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.
Hills
To prevent overheating and thus reduced
efficiency of the brake system, downshift
to a gear in which only minimal brake applica-
tions are needed when descending long or

Wheels and tires
188
Run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by the circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire.
Run-flat tires consist of self-contained tires and
special rims. The sidewall reinforcement
ensures that the tire retains some residual
safety in the event of pressure drop and driving
remains possible to a restricted degree.
For continued driving with damaged tires, refer
to Indication of a flat tire, page89.
New wheels and tires
Only have new wheels and tires mounted
by a BMW center or a repair shop that
works in accordance with BMW guidelines and
uses appropriately trained personnel. If this
work is performed inexpertly, there is a danger
of damage and associated safety risks. Make
sure that the new wheels are balanced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend the use of
retreaded tires; otherwise, driving safety
may be reduced. Potentially substantial varia-
tions in the design and the age of the carcasses
can result in a reduced service life.<
The right wheels and tires
BMW recommends that you use only
wheel and tire combinations that BMW
has tested and approved for your particular
vehicle. Variations in factors such as manufac-
turing tolerances mean that even wheels and
tires with identical official size ratings could
actually have different dimensions than the approved units – these differences could lead to
body contact, and with it the risk of severe acci-
dents.If non-approved wheels and tires are
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability,
and therefore cannot be held liable for driving
safety.<
You can find out the right wheel-tire combina-
tion from your BMW center.
The right wheel-and-tire combination is
another vital factor in ensuring reliable opera-
tion of various vehicle systems such as ABS
and DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread config-
uration from a single manufacturer. After a tire is
damaged, always remember to have the original
wheel and tire combination remounted on the
vehicle as soon as possible.
Recommended tire brands
BMW recommends particular tire brands for
each tire size. You can recognize these from the
clearly visible BMW marking on the tire sidewall.
With proper use, these tires meet the highest
standards for safety and handling characteris-
tics.
Run-flat tires
When installing new tires or when changing
from summer tires to winter tires, for your own
safety, use run-flat tires. No spare wheel is pro-
vided in the event of a flat. Your BMW center will
be glad to advise you.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends
that you do not have damaged run-flat
tires repaired; they should be replaced.<

Mobility
197Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Replacing components
Onboard tool kit
The onboard tool kit is located in the luggage
compartment under the floor mat.
Wiper blade replacement
1.Fold the wiper arm out and grasp it firmly.
2.Press the locking tabs together while slid-
ing the wiper blade toward the front to dis-
engage it.
3.Insert the new wiper blade and slide it in
until it audibly clicks into place.
Lamps and bulbs
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribu-
tion to driving safety. You must be duly diligent
in replacing them. If you are not familiar with the
specified procedures, have the corresponding
work carried out at your BMW center.Never touch the glass on new bulbs with
your bare fingers, as even minute
amounts of contamination will burn into the
bulb's surface and reduce its service life. Use a
clean cloth, napkin, etc., or hold the bulb by its
metal socket.<
You can obtain a selection of replacement bulbs
at your BMW center.
Whenever you perform any work on the
electrical system, turn off the electrical
devices involved to prevent short circuits from
occurring.
To avoid possible injury or equipment damage
when replacing bulbs, follow any instructions
provided by the bulb manufacturer.<
When performing maintenance on the head-
lamps, follow the instructions in the separate
Caring for your vehicle brochure.
In the case of bulbs whose replacement
is not described, please consult your
BMW center.<
Xenon lamps
The service life of these lamps is very long and
the probability of a failure is very low, provided
that they are not switched on and off an unusual
number of times. In the unlikely event that one
of these lamps should fail, you can continue
driving under poor visibility conditions by
switching on your fog lamps and proceeding
carefully, where allowed by law.
Have work on the xenon lighting system,
including bulb changes, carried out only
by a BMW center. Due to the high voltage
involved, there is a danger to life and limb when
work is carried out improperly.<
For checking and adjusting headlamp
aim, please contact your BMW center.<

Mobility
203Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
First-aid kit*
The first-aid kit is located in the filler element of
the rear seat backrest.
1.Press the button downward and pull the
filler element forward.
2.Take out first-aid kit.
To refit the filler element, insert the two
bottom tabs into the strip and press the
filler element back into place. Make sure that
you do not damage the rear seat upholstery.<
Some of the articles contained in the first-aid kit
have a limited service life. For this reason, check
the expiration dates of each of the items regu-
larly and replace any whose expiration dates
have passed.
Roadside Assistance*
The Roadside Assistance of the BMW Group
offers you assistance in the event of a break-
down around the clock, including on weekends
and public holidays.
The phone numbers of the Roadside Assis-
tance in your home country can be found in the
BMW Contact directory.In the case of vehicles with BMW Assist or
TeleService, you can contact the Roadside
Assistance of the BMW Group for assistance in
the event of a breakdown directly via iDrive,
refer to page176.
Jump starting
When your battery is discharged, you can use
two jumper cables to start your BMW with
power from the battery in a second vehicle. You
can also use the same method to help start
another vehicle. Use only jumper cables with
fully-insulated clamp handles.
To avoid the risk of potentially fatal injury,
always avoid all contact with electrical
components while the engine is running. Care-
fully adhere to the following sequence, both to
prevent damage to one or both vehicles, and to
guard against possible personal injuries.<
Preparing
1.Check whether the battery of the other
vehicle has a voltage of 12 Volts and
approximately the same capacitance in Ah.
This information can be found on the bat-
tery.
2.Switch off the engine of the vehicle provid-
ing assistance.
3.Switch off all electrical accessories in both
vehicles.
There must not be any contact between
the bodies of the two vehicles; otherwise,
there is a danger of short circuiting.<
Connecting jumper cables
To avoid personal injury from sparks,
follow this sequence when connecting
jumper cables.<
In your BMW, the so-called auxiliary terminal
for jump starting in the engine compartment
serves as a positive terminal for the battery, also
refer to engine compartment overview on
page191. The cover is marked with a +.

217Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Everything from A to Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display
texts used to select
individual functions, and
indicates where to find them
in the text.
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System86
ACC, refer to Active cruise
control67
Acceleration assistant with
SMG64
Accessories6
Activated-charcoal filter104
Activating hour signal83
"Activation time" for parked
car ventilation104
Active cruise control67
– Indicator lamp70
– radar sensor71
– selecting distance69
– warning lamps71
Active steering90
– warning lamp90
Adapter for spare key28
Adaptive brake lamps, refer to
Brake force display90
Adaptive Head Light97
"Add digits" for mobile
phone168
"Address book" for
navigation128
Address for navigation
– deleting129
– entering121,124
– selecting129
– storing128
– storing current position128
"Add to address book"128"Add to destination
list"124,125
Adjusting confirmation signals
for locking and unlocking31
Adjusting the thigh support48
Adjusting tone in audio mode,
refer to Tone control141
"After opening door"50
"After unlocking"50
Airbags90
– deactivating, refer to
Exception for front
passenger's seat56
– sitting safely47
– warning lamp92
Air distribution
– automatic101
– manual102
Airing, refer to Ventilation103
Air recirculation, refer to AUC
Automatic recirculated-air
control103
"Air recirculation on / off"54
Air vents, refer to
Ventilation103
Air volume102
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications183
Alarm system35
– avoiding unintentional
alarms36
– interior motion sensor36
– switching off alarm35
– switching off tilt alarm
sensor and interior motion
sensor36
– tilt alarm sensor36
All around the center
console14
All around the steering
wheel10
"All channels"150"All doors"30
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires189
"All stations" on the radio,
selecting144,147
Alterations, technical, refer to
For your own safety6
"AM", reception
range140,144
Antenna for mobile phone162
Antifreeze
– coolant193
– washer fluid66
Antilock Brake System
ABS86
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system35
Anti-theft system, refer to
Central locking system29
Anti-trapping mechanism
– glass sunroof40
– power windows39
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights210
Approved engine oils192
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights210
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest108
Arrival time
– refer to Computer76
– refer to Starting destination
guidance132
"Arrow display" during
Navigation133
Ashtray109
Assist, refer to
BMW Assist174
Assistance systems, refer to
Driving stability control
systems86
Assistance window20

Reference 219
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Brake pads194
– breaking-in114
Brakes
– ABS Antilock Brake
System86
– brake fluid193
– brake force display90
– brake pads194
– breaking-in114
– CBC Cornering Brake
Control86
– handbrake60
Brake system114
– brake fluid level193
– brake pads114,194
– brake rotors116
– breaking-in114
– warning lamp13,193
Brake wear warning
– brake pads194
– warning lamp194
Braking
– electronic brake-force
distribution86
– refer to Braking safely115
Braking safely115
Breakdown assistance176
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance203
Breaking-in114
Breaking-in the clutch114
Breaking-in the
differential114
"Brightness"83,94
Brightness of Control
Display83
Button for starting engine58
Buttons on steering wheel11
Bypassing route sections136
C
California law
– Event Data Recorders196
California Proposition
65 Warning6
"Call"168Call
– accepting166
– displaying accepted168
– ending167
– in absence168
– starting167
Calling
– from phone book167
– from Top 8 list168
– redialing168
Can holder, refer to Cup
holders109
Capacity of luggage
compartment210
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery200
Car care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
"Car data"76
Care196
– refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cargo loading
– securing cargo117
– stowing cargo117
– vehicle116
Caring for artificial leather,
refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Caring for leather, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for light-alloy wheels,
refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Caring for plastic, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for the carpet, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for the vehicle finish,
refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochureCar key, refer to Keys/remote
control28
Car phone162
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest108
– refer to Mobile phone162
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Car radio, refer to Radio144
Car wash116
– refer to Before driving into a
car wash116
– refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– with comfort access37
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system114
"Categories"151
CBC Cornering Brake
Control86
CBS Condition Based
Service195
"CD"140,153
CD changer153
– controls140
– fast forward/reverse157
– installation location157
– playing a track155
– random play sequence156
– repeating a track156
– selecting a CD153
– selecting a track154
– switching on/off140
– tone control141
– volume141
CD player153
– controls140
– fast forward/reverse157
– playing a track155
– random play sequence156
– repeating a track156
– selecting a track154
– switching on/off140
– tone control141
– volume141
Center armrest, adjusting
height108

Reference 229
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Rotary fuel controller, refer to
iDrive16
Route130
– bypassing sections136
– changing130,136
– display133
– displaying arrow display133
– displaying map133
– displaying towns/cities and
streets134
– list134
– selecting130
– selecting criteria130
Route map, refer to Map
view133
"Route preference",
changing130
Route selection130
Run-flat tires188
– continuing driving with a
damaged tire89
– flat tire89
– tire inflation pressure184
– tire replacement188
– winter tires188
S
Safety belts51
– damage52
– indicator lamp52
– sitting safely47
Safety belt tensioners, refer to
Safety belts51
Safety systems
– ABS Antilock Brake
System86
– airbags90
– DSC Dynamic Stability
Control86
– rollover protection system,
Convertible92
– safety belts51
Satellite radio149
– enabling channels150
– selecting channel150
– storing channel150
"SAT" on the radio140,150"Save current
destination"130
"Scan"
– playing a music track155
– playing stations145
Scan
– CD changer155
– CD player155
– radio145
"Scan all" in audio mode155
"Scan directory" in audio
mode155
Screw thread for tow
fitting205
SDARS, refer to Satellite
radio149
Seats48
– adjusting48
– heating52
– lumbar support48
– memory, refer to Seat, mirror
and steering wheel
memory49
– sitting safely47
– sports seat48
– storing the setting49
– thigh support48
Securing cargo117
– ski bag111
Securing load, refer to
Securing cargo117
– ski bag111
"Select as destination"127
"Select current speed"81
Selecting audio sources, refer
to Operating via iDrive140
Selecting distance for active
cruise control69
Selecting frequency
manually145
Selecting menu items19
Selecting new scale for
navigation system
display134
Selecting route130
Selection options with
navigation system130Selector lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic62
– manual transmission60
– SMG Sequential Manual
Gearbox61
Selector lever interlock, refer
to Shiftlock
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic62
– SMG Sequential Manual
Gearbox61
Sequential Manual Gearbox
SMG61
"Service"77,175,191
Service, refer to Roadside
Assistance203
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US
models195
Service interval display, refer
to Service requirements77
"Service notification"175
"Service Request"176,178
"Service
requirements"78,175,192
Service requirements77
– also refer to CBS Condition
Based Service195
"Service Status"175
"Set date"83
"Set" in audio mode140
"Set" in trip computer77
"Set service date"78
"Set time"82
Settings
– changing on Control
Display82
– clock, 12h/24h mode83
– configuring, refer to
Personal Profile29
Setting speed limit81
Setting time, refer to Prese-
lecting activation time104
"Set tire pressure"89