2007 BMW 6 SERIES handbrake

At a glance
13Reference
Controls
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Mobility
Indicator and warning lamps
The concept
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in
different combinations and colors.
When the engine is started or the ignition is
switched on, some lamps are checked for
proper operation and light up briefly in the pro-
cess.
Explanatory text messages
Text messages at the bottom edge of the Con-
trol Display explain the meaning of the indicator
and warning lamps displayed.
You can consult Check Control for additional
information, e.g. regarding the cause of a mal-
function or the appropriate actions to take, refer
to page80.In urgent cases, this information will be shown
as soon as the corresponding lamp lights up.
Indicator lamps without text messages
The following indicator lamps indicate that the
associated functions are activated:
Handbrake applied61
Handbrake for Canadian models
Fog lamps104
DTC Dynamic Traction Control89
High beams/headlamp flasher104
Lamp flashes:
DSC or DTC is controlling the drive
and braking forces to maintain vehicle
stability88

Driving
60
Starting engine
Do not run the engine in closed rooms,
otherwise the inhalation of toxic exhaust
gases can cause unconsciousness and death.
The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide,
an odorless and colorless, but highly toxic gas.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the
engine running, as such a vehicle represents a
potential safety hazard.
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine run-
ning, shift into neutral or move the selector lever
into position P and firmly apply the handbrake,
otherwise the vehicle can begin to roll.<
Do not allow the engine to warm up by leaving it
running while the vehicle remains stationary.
Instead, drive off at a moderate engine speed.
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion or repeated starting attempts in
which the engine does not start. Otherwise, the
fuel is not burned at all or is burned inade-
quately and there is a danger of overheating and
damage to the catalytic converter.<
Manual transmission
Remote control in ignition lock or with comfort
access in vehicle, refer to page37.
1.Depress brake pedal.
2.Depress the clutch pedal and select the
idling position.
3.Press the Start/Stop button.
Automatic transmission*
Remote control in ignition lock or with comfort
access in vehicle, refer to page37.
1.Depress brake pedal.
2.Place selector lever in position P or N.3.Press the Start/Stop button.
SMG Sequential Manual
Transmission*
Remote control in ignition lock or with comfort
access in vehicle, refer to page37.
1.Depress brake pedal.
2.Move selector lever into position N and
make sure that this position is also indi-
cated in instrument cluster.
3.Press the Start/Stop button.
If the engine fails to start, depress the
brake pedal and press the selector lever
to the right and then back into position N.
Watch the display in the instrument cluster
while doing so.<
Switching engine off
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
remote control with you.
When parking, firmly apply the handbrake, as
otherwise the vehicle could roll.<
Manual transmission
1.Press the Start/Stop button with the vehicle
stopped.
2.Shift into first gear or reverse.
3.Firmly apply the handbrake.
4.Remove the remote control from the igni-
tion lock, refer to page59.
SMG Sequential Manual
Transmission*
1.Firmly apply the handbrake.
2.Move selector lever into a drive position.
3.Press the Start/Stop button.
If N is engaged when switching off the
engine, this will be pointed out to you opti-
cally and acoustically.
4.Remove the remote control from the igni-
tion lock, refer to page59.

Controls
61Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
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Navigation
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Mobility
Automatic transmission*
1.Move selector lever into position P with
vehicle stopped.
2.Press the Start/Stop button.
3.Firmly apply the handbrake.
4.Remove the remote control from the igni-
tion lock, refer to page59.
Handbrake
The handbrake is primarily intended to prevent
the vehicle from rolling while parked; it brakes
the rear wheels.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up, and a sig-
nal also sounds when starting off. The
handbrake is applied.
Indicator lamp for Canadian models.
Applying
The lever locks in position automatically.
Releasing
Pull slightly upwards, press the button and
lower the lever.
If exceptional circumstances should
make it necessary to apply the handbrake
while the vehicle is in motion, do not pull it too
firmly. In doing so, continuously press the but-
ton of the handbrake lever. Otherwise, too firm
an application of the handbrake can lock up the
rear wheels and cause the rear of the vehicle to
swerve. ing action, occasionally engage the hand-
brake lightly when the vehicle is slowly coming
to a stop if the traffic conditions are suitable.
The brake lamps do not light up when the hand-
brake is applied.<
Manual transmission
When shifting into 5th/6th gear, press the
gearshift lever toward the right, otherwise
an inadvertent shift into 3rd or 4th gear could
lead to engine damage.<
Reverse gear
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
Press the gearshift lever to the left, overcoming
a slight resistance.
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.
The SMG is operated with the selector lever
and two shift paddles on the steering wheel.
It offers the following functions:
>Choice of manual or automatic mode:
Sequential mode or Drive mode
>Choice of two drive programs: Normal or
Sport, refer to Dynamic Driving Control
page64

Controls
63Reference
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Mobility
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
the selector lever to the right again toward D or
shift using the shift 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 region of the
transmission.<
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 upshift, pull one of the shift paddles.
>To downshift, press.
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic*
In addition to the fully automatic mode, you can
also shift manually with Steptronic, refer to
page64.
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
manual mode, the gear currently engaged.
Changing selector lever positions
>Only move the selector lever from
position P with the engine running: inter-
lock.
>With the vehicle stopped, press the brake
before shifting out of P or N; otherwise, the
selector lever is blocked: shiftlock.
To prevent the vehicle from creeping
after you select a driving position,
maintain pressure on the brake pedal until
you are ready to start.<
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.
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
The rear wheels are locked.
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.

Driving tips
121Reference
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 each other. 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 page203.
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 vehi-
cle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission 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 Transmission
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 handbrake is not
required for this purpose.
1.Hold the vehicle with the footbrake.
2.Release the footbrake and 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, drive off 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
steep downhill stretches. Even light but consis-

Everything from A to Z
234 BMW homepage4
BMW Maintenance
System210
BMW Night Vision99
– activating100
– cleaning camera101
– cleaning camera, refer to
Wiper system67
– deactivating100
– making settings100
"BMW Service settings"193
BMW website4
Bottle holder, refer to Cup
holders115
Bracket for telephone or
mobile phone, refer to Snap-
in adapter187
Brake assistant88
Brake force display94
Brake lamps
– replacing bulbs, refer to Tail
lamps214
– two-stage94
Brake rotors
– breaking-in120
– refer to Braking safely121
Brakes
– ABS Antilock Brake
System87
– brake force display94
– breaking-in120
– CBC Cornering Brake
Control87
– electronic brake-force
distribution87
– handbrake61
– refer to Braking safely121
Brake system120
– brake pads120
– brake rotors122
– breaking-in120
– warning lamp13,89
Braking safely121
Breakdown assistance190
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance218
Breaking-in120Breaking-in brake pads120
Breaking-in the clutch120
Breaking-in the differential,
refer to Engine and
differential120
"Brightness"85,98
– with BMW Night Vision101
Brightness of Control
Display84
Button for starting engine,
refer to Start/Stop button59
Buttons on steering wheel11
Bypassing route sections144
C
California Proposition 65
Warning6
"Call"182,193
Call
– accepting181
– displaying accepted183
– ending181
– in absence183
– rejecting181
– starting181
Calling
– by entering phone
number181
– from phone book182
– from Top 8 list183
– redialing183
Can holder, refer to Cup
holders115
Capacities226
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery215
Car care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
"Car Data"77
Care211
– refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochureCargo loading
– securing cargo123
– stowing cargo123
– vehicle122
Caring for artificial leather,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Caring for leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for light-alloy wheels,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Caring for plastic, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for the carpet, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for the vehicle finish,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Car key, refer to Keys/remote
control28
Car phone175
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest114
– refer to Mobile phone174
– refer to separate operating
instructions
Car radio, refer to Radio156
Car wash122
– refer to Before driving into a
car wash122
– refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– with comfort access38
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system120
"Categories"163
CBC Cornering Brake
Control87
CBS Condition Based
Service210
"CD"152,165

Reference 239
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Full mobile phone preparation
package174
Full screen display, refer to
Switching assistance
window off20
"Full screen" with BMW Night
Vision101
Fuses216
G
Garage-door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control112
Gasoline
– refer to Average fuel
consumption76
– refer to Fuel
specifications199
– refer to Required fuel199
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge76
Gear changes
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic63
– SMG Sequential Manual
Transmission63
Gear display
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic63
– SMG Sequential Manual
Transmission62
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic63
– manual transmission61
– SMG Sequential Manual
Transmission61
General driving notes120
Glass sunroof, electric with
raise function41
– comfort operation32
– comfort operation with
comfort access37
– moving manually41
– remote control31Glove compartment113
– rechargeable flashlight113
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system126
Grills, refer to Ventilation109
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights226
H
Handbrake61
– indicator lamp13,61
Hands-free system, refer to
Microphone14
Hazard warning flashers15
"HD radio"160
HD radio, refer to High
Definition Radio160
Head airbags94
Headlamp control,
automatic102
Headlamp flasher65
Headlamps
– care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– cleaning, refer to Wiper
system66
– cleaning tank, refer to
Capacities226
– filler neck for washer
fluid207
– replacing bulbs212
Head Light, refer to Adaptive
Head Light103
Head restraints
– front51
– removing51
– sitting safely48
"Head-Up Display"98
Head-Up Display97
Heated
– mirrors54
– rear window108
– seats53
– steering wheel55Heater107
Heating
– exterior mirrors54
– interior106
– rear window108
– residual heat utilization109
– seats53
– steering wheel55
Heating with engine switched
off, refer to Residual
heat109
Heavy cargo, refer to Securing
cargo123
Height, refer to
Dimensions224
Height adjustment
– seats49
– steering wheel55
High beams104
– headlamp flasher104
– indicator lamp13
– replacing bulbs213
High Definition Radio160
High water, refer to Driving
through water121
Hills121
Holder for cups115
"Home address" for
navigation system138
Homepage of BMW4
Hood206
Horn10
Hotel function33
– unlocking manually34
Hot exhaust system120
"Hour memo"84
"House number" for
destination entry131
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to Brake assistant88
Hydroplaning121
– also refer to Minimum tread
depth203

Everything from A to Z
240
I
IBOC, refer to High Definition
Radio160
Ice, refer to Outside
temperature warning75
ID3-Tag, refer to Information
about track166
Identification mark
– recommended tire
brands204
– run-flat tires204
– tire coding202
iDrive16
– adjusting brightness84
– assistance window20
– changing date and time83
– changing language85
– changing menu page19
– changing settings83
– changing units of measure
and display form85
– controller16
– controls16
– displays, menus17
– operating principle17
– selecting menu item19
– selecting or confirming
entry19
– start menu17
– status information20
– symbols18
Ignition59
– switched off59
– switched on59
Ignition key, refer to Keys/
remote control28
Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness59
Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on59
Ignition lock59
– starting engine with comfort
access38
i menu17
Imprint2Indicator/warning lamps
– ABS Antilock Brake
System89
– active steering94
– airbags96
– brake system89
– DSC13,88
– DTC13,89
– Flat Tire Monitor90
– fog lamps13,104
– handbrake13,61
– safety belt warning53
– TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor92
Indicator and warning lamps,
overview13
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure200
Inflation pressure monitoring
– refer to Flat Tire Monitor89
– refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor91
Info menu17
Information
– on another location134
– on current position134
– on town/city of
destination134
"Information" for navigation
system134
Information menu, refer to
imenu17
"Information on
destination"135
Information service192
"Info sources"78
Initializing
– Flat Tire Monitor90
– radio, refer to Storing
stations158
– refer to Power failure215
– seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory50
– time and date83
"Input map"133
Installation location
– CD changer168
– drive for navigation DVD126Instructions for navigation
system, refer to Voice
instructions143
Instrument cluster12
Instrument illumination, refer
to Instrument lighting104
Instrument lighting104
Instrument panel
– refer to Cockpit10
– refer to Instrument
cluster12
Integrated key28
Integrated universal remote
control112
Interesting destination for
navigation134
"Interim time"83
Interior lamps104
– switching on with remote
control31
Interior motion sensor36
– switching off36
Interior rearview mirror,
automatic dimming
feature
54
Interlock on automatic
transmission63
Intermittent wiper mode66
J
Jacking points215
Joystick, refer to iDrive16
Jump starting218
K
Keyless-Go, refer to Comfort
access37
Keyless opening and closing,
refer to Comfort access37
Key Memory, refer to Personal
Profile29
"Keypad"184
Keys28
– key-related settings, refer to
Personal Profile29
– spare key28