2006 BMW M5 SEDAN Active

At a glance
15Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1Microphone for handsfree mode for
telephone
*
and for voice command system*22
2Reading lamps86
3Initiating
an emergency call196
4Glass sunroof
*, electric38
5Interior lamps86
6Passenger airbag status lamp79
7Control Display16
8Hazard warning flashers
9Central locking system32
10Automatic climate control87
11Changing
>radio station132
>track132
12Ejecting
>navigation DVD
*132
>audio CD13213Drive for navigation system DVD with
Professional navigation system
*112
14Drive for audio CDs132
15Switching Entertainment sound output on/
off and adjusting volume132
17Controller16
Turn, press or move horizontally in four
directions
18Activating voice command system
*22
19Opening start menu on Control Display17
20Drivelogic of Sequential Manual
Transmission57
21EDC Electronic Damping Control76
22DSC Dynamic Stability Control75
23M Engine Dynamic Control POWER58 Temperature setting, left/right88
Automatic air distribution and
volume88
Cooling function89
AUC Automatic recirculated-air
control90
Recirculated-air mode90
Maximum cooling89
Residual heat mode90
Switching off automatic climate
control90
Air volume89
Defrosting windows and removing
condensation89
Rear window defroster87
16
Heated seats45
Active seat ventilation
*45
Adjusting active backrest
width
*41
Flat Tire Monitor76
PDC Park Distance Control
*73

iDrive
18
Opening menu items of start menu
With the start menu you can open the menu
items Communication, Navigation, Entertain-
ment and Climate by moving the controller to
the left, right, front or rear.
You can open the menu by pressing the con-
troller.
Comfort opening of menu items
Comfort opening offers you:
>Opening of a menu item of the start menu in
the last display shown
>Direct switching between Communication,
Navigation, Entertainment and Climate
without pressing the button
For this purpose, move the controller in the cor-
responding direction and hold it for longer than
approx. 2 seconds.
Displays in menu
1Each menu is divided into fields.
The respective active field is highlighted.
2A symbol indicates the last selected menu
item of the start menu:
1Menu items are usually grouped in horizon-
tal or vertical lists.
2In these lists, arrows indicate the possibility
of accessing other menu items that are not
currently visible.
3Settings are displayed graphically or
numerically.
Communication
Navigation or onboard information
Entertainment
Climate
menu

At a glance
19Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Operating principle at a glance
Basic operation via iDrive is described in this
view.You can view the individual steps under Set-
tings on Control Display, Setting time, refer to
page71.
1Selecting menu item:
>Turn the controller; the highlight moves
>Menu items shown in white can be
selected by highlighting
2Activating menu item:
>Press the controller
>New menu items are displayed or the
function is carried out
3Selecting menu item: refer to 14Changing between fields:
>Briefly move the controller left, right,
forward or back
>Release controller
>Active field appears lighter
5Adjusting settings:
>Turn controller
>Graphic display, numerical value or text
displays can be changed
>Acknowledgment by changing field

iDrive
20
Status information
1Display for:
>Entertainment:
Radio, CD
>Telephone
* in "Communication":
Name of linked mobile phone, network
search or no network
>"BMW Assist"
*:
Existing voice connection with a service
from BMW Assist
2Entertainment sound output off
3Display for:
> New entries present in "Missed calls"
*
> Roaming active
4 Telephoning
* possible if the mobile
phone is logged-on in the vehicle
Mobile phone network with strong
reception, display dependent on mobile
phone
5Time
Other displays:
The status information is temporarily hidden
when there are Check Control instructions or
inputs via the voice command system
*.
Assistance window*
Additional information can be displayed in the
assistance window:
>The computer or the trip computer
>The arrow or map view with a navigation
system
*
>The current position
Selecting display
1.Move the controller to the right to change to
the assistance window and press the con-
troller.
2.Select a menu item.
3.Press the controller.

Controls
41Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
ensuing loss of vehicle control could lead to an
accident.
Also on the passenger side, do not incline the
backrest too far to the rear while the vehicle is
being driven, otherwise there is a danger in the
event of an accident of sliding under the safety
belt, eliminating the protection normally pro-
vided by the belt.<
Please observe the information on damage to
safety belts provided on page44 and the infor-
mation on the active front
head restraints* on
page43.
Seat adjustment
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection,
please observe the adjustment instructions on
page40.<
1Longitudinal direction
2Height
3Angle
4Backrest width
5Backrest
6Head restraint height
7Shoulder support
*
8Thigh support9Lumbar support
*
Shoulder support: the adjustable upper back-
rest also supports the back in the shoulder
region. This provides a relaxed driving position
and helps relieve stress on the shoulder mus-
cles.
Adjusting lumbar support*
You can also adjust the contour of the backrest
to obtain additional support in the lumbar
region.
The upper hips and spinal column receive sup-
plementary support to help you maintain a
relaxed, upright sitting position.
>Increase or decrease curvature: push
switch forward or back.
>Shift curvature up or down: push switch up
or down.
Adjusting active backrest width*
First set a comfortable backrest width, see
above. Based on the backrest width set, the lat-
eral support is automatically adapted to the cur-
rent driving situation.
The adaptation of the backrest width and the
speed of the adjustment vary depending on the
program. You can select from among three pro-
grams from comfort to sport. The "Sport" pro-

Adjustments
42 gram provides increased lateral support on both
sides when driving through a quick succession
of alternating curves.
Press program button once:
>"Comfort" program: one LED
>"Normal" program: two LEDs
>"Sport" program: three LEDs
To switch off: press button longer.
You can also activate your preferred program
for the active backrest width adjustment of the
driver's seat with the button on the steering
wheel, refer to MDrive on page48.
Easy entry/exit*
To facilitate entry and exit, the backrest width
temporarily opens all the way.
Seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory
You can store and request two different posi-
tions for the driver's seat and passenger seat
*,
external rearview mirrors, and steering wheel.
The adjustment of the lumbar support is not
stored in the memory.
Storing
1.Switch on radio readiness or ignition, refer
to page53.
2.Set the desired seat, exterior mirror and
steering wheel positions.
3.Press the button:
The LED in the button lights up.
4.Press the desired memory button1 or2:
The LED goes out.
Requesting
Do not request a position from the mem-
ory while the vehicle is moving. There is a
risk of accident from unexpected movement of
the seat or steering wheel.<
Convenience mode
1.Open the driver's door after unlocking or
switch on radio readiness.
2.Briefly press the desired memory button1
or2.
The system immediately cancels the
adjustment procedure when you briefly
press one of the seat adjustment buttons or
one of the memory buttons.
Safety feature
1.Close the driver's door and switch the igni-
tion on or off.
2.Press the desired memory button1 or2
and maintain pressure until the adjustment
process has been completed.
If the button was pressed inadvertently:
press the button again; the LED goes out.
Activating with remote control
The last positions of the driver's seat, the exter-
nal rearview mirrors, and steering wheel are
stored for the remote key currently in use.
You can choose when the position is requested:
>Request when unlocking vehicle
>Request when opening driver's door
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to
page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the
controller.

Controls
43Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
4.Select "Door locks" and press the control-
ler.
5.Select "Central locking" and press the con-
troller.
6.Select "Last seat pos." and press the con-
troller.
7.Select "After unlocking" or "After door
opened".
8.Press the controller.
To cancel the request:
Select "Deactivated" and press the controller.
When using this feature, always make
sure that the footwell behind the driver's
seat is empty and unobstructed. Failure to do
so could cause injury to persons or damage to
objects behind the seat as a result of a rearward
movement of the seat.<
Head restraints
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the
risk of spinal injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint so that its center
is approx. at ear level. Otherwise there is
increased danger of injury in the event of an
accident.<
Front seats: height adjustment
You can adjust the height of the head restraints
electrically.
Front seats: angle adjustment
Swivel the head restraint.
The distance to the back of the head is adjusted
with the shoulder support
*.
Adjusting side extensions*
You can fold the side extensions on the head
restraint forward for increased lateral support in
the resting position.
Front head restraints, active*
Seats with a shoulder support* are equipped
with an active head restraint.
In the event of a rear-end collision of sufficient
severity, the active head restraint reduces the
distance to the head.
Do not use seat or head restraint covers
and do not hand objects, e.g. clothes
hangers, on the head restraints or attach any
accessories to the seat or head restraint. Other-
wise the protective function of the active head
restraints will be impaired and personal safety
endangered.<

Controls
45Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Heated seats
Front
The temperature setting progresses one step
through its control sequence each time you
press the button. The maximum temperature is
supplied when three LEDs are lit.
To switch off: press the button longer.
Temperature distribution
The heat output can be distributed variously in
the seat cushion and the backrest.
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to
page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Move the controller to the left to open "Cli-
mate".
3.Select "Seat heater distribution" and press
the controller.
4.Move the controller to the left or right to
select "Driver" or "Passenger".
5.Turn the controller. The adjustment is
applied; the field can be changed.
Rear
Operation as for front seat heating; two temper-
ature settings.
Active seat ventilation*
The system progresses one step through the
control sequence each time you press the but-
ton.
To switch off: press the button longer.
The highest position with three LEDs is
used for rapid cooling, e.g. when the vehi-
cle has gotten heated up.<
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors
The mirror on the passenger's side is
more curved than the driver's mirror.
Objects reflected in the mirror are closer than
they appear. Do not estimate the distance of
following traffic based on what you see in the
mirrors, otherwise there is an increased acci-
dent risk.<