At a glance
11Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
8Buttons on steering wheel
9Instrument cluster12
12Ignition lock55
13Horn, entire surface
16Releasing hood19917Opening luggage compartment lid33
Mobile phone
*168:
>Press: accepting and ending
call, starting dialing
* for
selected phone number and
redialing if no phone number
is selected
>Press longer: redialing
Volume
Activating/deactivating voice
command system
* 22
Changing radio station150
Selecting music track160
Scrolling in phone book and in lists
with stored phone numbers
MDrive, call up individual
settings50
Individually programmable49
10
Windshield wipers62
Rain sensor63
11Starting/stopping engine and
switching ignition on/off 55
14
Steering wheel adjustment48
15
Cruise control64
18
Head-Up Display*88
19
Parking lamps92
Low beams92
Daytime running lamps
*93
Automatic headlamp control92
Daytime running lamps
*93
Adaptive Head Light
*93
20
Instrument lighting94
At a glance
13Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Indicator and warning lamps
The concept
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in
different combinations and colors.
Some lamps 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 messages 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 page71.In urgent cases, this information will be shown
as soon as the corresponding lamp comes on.
Indicator lamps without text messages
The following indicator lamps indicate that
certain functions are activated or deactivated:
MDrive51
Handbrake applied57
Handbrake applied for Canadian
models
Parking lamps/low beams92
M Dynamic Mode80
High beams/headlamp flasher94
Lamp flashes:
DSC controls the drive and braking
forces for maintaining vehicle
stability80
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
90
M view
1Current engine speed, highlighted
2Advance warning field of tachometer
3Red warning field of tachometer, also refer
to Tachometer on page66
4Speed
5Gear display
For information on the shift lights in the
tachometer, refer to page60.
Setting brightness
The brightness of the display is automatically
adapted to the ambient lighting conditions.
However, you can change the basic setting.
With the low beams switched on, the brightness
can also be adjusted with the knurled wheel of
the instrument lighting.
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to
page16.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Display settings" and press the
controller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the
controller until "Head-Up Display" is
selected and press the controller.6.Change into the second field from the top.
Turn the controller until "Brightness" is
selected and press the controller.
7.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is selected.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Notes
The visibility of the displays in the Head-Up Dis-
play is influenced by:
>Sunglasses with certain polarization filters
>Certain seating positions
>Objects on the cover of the Head-Up Dis-
play
>Wet road surface and unfavorable lighting
conditions
If the image is distorted, please have the basic
setting checked at a BMW center.
Special windshield
The windshield is part of the system. The shape
of the windshield complies with the require-
ments of the Head-Up Display to enable a pre-
cise display. A film in the windshield prevents
the double images from being displayed.
Windshield replacement should be carried out
by a BMW center or a workshop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.
Lamps
92
Lamps
Parking lamps/low beams
0Lights off and daytime running lamps*
1Parking lamps and daytime running lamps*
2Low beams
3Automatic headlamp control, daytime run-
ning lamps
* and Adaptive Head Light*
Parking lamps
In switch position1, the front, rear and side
vehicle lighting is switched on. You can use the
parking lamps for parking.
The parking lamps drain the battery. Do
not leave them switched on for long peri-
ods of time, otherwise it may no longer be pos-
sible to start the engine. It is preferable to
switch on the roadside parking lamps on one
side, refer to page94.<
Low beams
The low beams light up when the light switch is
in position 2 and the ignition is on.
If the light switch remains in position 2, the
exterior lamps are switched off automatically
when the driver's door is opened while the igni-
tion is off.
Switch on the parking lamps if required as
described under Parking lamps.
Automatic headlamp control
In switch position3, the system activates the
low beams and switches them on or off in
response to changes in ambient light condi-
tions, for instance, in a tunnel, at dawn and dusk
and in case of precipitation. Adaptive Head
Light
* is active. The LED next to the symbol is
illuminated when the low beams are on.
When driving into a tunnel with bright overhead
lighting, switching on of the lights may be
delayed.
A blue sky with the sun low on the horizon can
cause the lights to be switched on.
If desired, the light switch can be left in posi-
tion3. The exterior lamps are automatically
switched off after switching off the vehicle.
The automatic headlamp control cannot
serve as a substitute for your personal
judgment in determining when the lamps
should be switched on in response to ambient
lighting conditions. For example, the sensors
cannot detect fog of hazy weather. To avoid
safety risks, you should always switch on the
low beams manually under these conditions.<
Pathway lighting
When you activate the headlamp flasher after
parking the vehicle and switching off the lamps,
the low beams will come on for a brief period.
You can set the duration or deactivate the func-
tion via iDrive.
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to
page16.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-
troller.
Lamps
94
High beams/
roadside parking lamps
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Roadside parking lamps
Roadside parking lamps, left or right*
You also enjoy the option of lighting up just one
side of your vehicle when parking:
Switching on
After parking the vehicle, press the lever up or
down beyond the resistance point, arrow 3.
The roadside parking lamps drain the bat-
tery. Do not leave them switched on for
long periods of time, otherwise it may no longer
be possible to start the engine.<
Switching off
Briefly press the lever in the opposite direction
up to the resistance point, arrow3.
Instrument lighting
The lighting intensity can be adjusted with the
knurled wheel with the parking lamps/low
beams switched on.
Interior lamps
The interior lamps, footwell lamps, door entry
lighting and courtesy lamps
* are controlled
automatically.
With the courtesy lamps, LED lamps are located
in the door handles to illuminate the exterior
area before the doors.
To protect the battery, all lamps in the
vehicle are switched off approx. 15 min-
utes after radio readiness is switched off, refer
to Start/Stop button on page55.<
Switching interior lamps on and off
manually
Press the button.
If you want the interior lamps to remain off con-
tinuously, maintain pressure on the button for
approx. 3 seconds.
Giving and receiving assistance
216 4.Attach one end of the jumper cable minus/–
to the negative terminal of the battery or to
an engine or body ground of the assisting
vehicle.
Your BMW M5 has a special nut as body
ground or negative terminal.
5.Attach the second end of the cable to the
negative terminal of the battery or to the
engine or body ground of the vehicle to be
started.
Starting engine
1.Start the engine on the assisting vehicle
and allow it to run at idle for several minutes
at slightly increased speed.
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in the
usual way.
If the first starting attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the connection sequence.
Check the battery and recharge if necessary.
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine.<
Tow-starting and towing
Observe applicable laws and regulations
for tow-starting and towing.<
Do not transport any passengers other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed.<
Using tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried
in the vehicle. It can be screwed in at the front or
rear of the BMW M5.
It is located in the toolkit in the luggage com-
partment lid, refer to page206.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the
tow fitting for towing only on roads. Avoid lateral
loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift the vehi-
cle by the tow fitting. Otherwise damage to the
tow fitting and the vehicle can occur.<
Access to screw thread
Press the arrow symbol on the cover in the
bumper.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on,
refer to page55, otherwise the low
beams, tail lamps, turn signals and windshield
wipers would not be available. If the vehicle
electrical system fails, do not tow-start or tow
the vehicle. The electric steering-wheel lock
cannot be unlocked and the vehicle cannot be
Reference 235
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
"Display off"21
Displays
– on Control Display, refer to
iDrive16
– refer to Instrument
cluster12
"Display settings"76,89
Displays on the windshield,
refer to Head-Up Display88
Disposal
– battery of remote control
with comfort access37
– coolant202
– vehicle battery213
Distance, refer to
Computer68
"Distance to dest."68
Distance to destination, refer
to Computer68
Distance warning, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control78
Divided rear backrest, refer to
Through-loading
system108
Door entry lighting94
Door key, refer to Keys/
remote control28
Door lock32
Door locking, confirmation
signals31
"Door locks"30
Doors
– manual operation32
– remote control30
DOT Quality Grades196
Draft-free ventilation99
Drinks holder, refer to Cup
holders105
Drivelogic60
Drive mode59
"Driver's door only"31
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams92
Driving programs, refer to
Drivelogic60
Driving route, refer to
Displaying route134Driving stability control
systems79
Driving through water113
Driving tips, refer to General
driving notes112
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function98
Drying the air, refer to Cooling
function98
"DSC"50,80
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control80
– indicator lamp13
,80
– malfunction81
DVD for navigation120
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC80
"Dynamic route" for
navigation131
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC80
– M Dynamic Mode MDM80
E
Easy entry/exit49
– backrest width43
"EDC"50
EDC Electronic Damping
Control82
– "Comfort"82
– "Normal"82
– "Sport"82
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on CD player146
Electrical malfunction
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door192
– glass sunroof, electric40
– luggage compartment lid34
Electric steering wheel
adjustment48
Electronic brake-force
distribution79
Electronic Damping Control
EDC82
Emergency call214Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door192
– luggage compartment lid34
Emergency operation of glass
sunroof, refer to Moving
manually40
Emergency release for
luggage compartment lid in
cargo bay34
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance215
"Enable services"188
"End call"174
Engaging driving position,
refer to Selector lever
positions58
Engaging forward position,
refer to Selector lever
positions58
Engine
– breaking-in112
– data222
– M Engine Dynamic
Control61
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature66
– speed222
– starting56
– starting, with comfort
access36
– starting difficulties56
– switching off57
Engine compartment200
Engine coolant202
Everything from A to Z
238 Height adjustment
– seats42
– steering wheel48
High beams94
– headlamp flasher94
– indicator lamp13
High Definition Radio154
High water, refer to Driving
through water113
Hills114
Holder for cups105
"Home address" for
navigation130
Homepage of BMW4
Hood199
Horn10
Hot exhaust system112
"Hour memo"75
"House number" for
destination entry124
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to DBC Dynamic Brake
Control80
Hydroplaning113
I
IBOC, refer to High Definition
Radio154
Ice, refer to Outside
temperature warning67
ID3 tag, refer to Information on
track161
Identification marks
– recommended tire
brands198
– tire coding195
Idle58iDrive16
– assistance window20
– automatic climate control
with expanded scope97
– changing date and time74
– changing language76
– changing menu page19
– changing settings74
– changing units of measure
and display type76
– confirming selection or
entry19
– controller16
– controls16
– displays, menus17
– operating principle17
– selecting menu item19
– setting brightness76
– start menu17
– status information20
– symbols18
Ignition55
– switched off56
– switched on55
Ignition key, refer to Keys/
remote control28
Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness55
Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on55
Ignition lock55
– starting engine with comfort
access37
i menu17
Imprint2
Indicator/warning lamps
– ABS Antilock Brake
System81
– airbags88
– brake system81
– DSC13,80
– Flat Tire Monitor84
– high beams13
– MDrive13,51
– M Dynamic Mode
13,80
– parking lamps/low beams13
– safety belt warning46
– TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor85Indicator and warning
lamps13
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure194
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor82
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor84
Info menu17
Information
– on another location127
– on current position127
– on destination location127
"Information" for
navigation127
Information menu, refer to
imenu17
"Information on
destination"128
Information service185
"Info sources"70
Initializing
– Flat Tire Monitor83
– radio, refer to Storing
stations152
– refer to Power failure213
– refer to Setting time and
date74
– seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory43
"Input map"126
Installation location
– CD changer163
– drive for navigation DVD120
– mobile phone104
Instructions for navigation
system, refer to Voice
instructions136
Instrument cluster12
Instrument illumination, refer
to Instrument lighting94
Instrument lighting94