2008 BMW 6 SERIES high beam

Lamps
104
Adaptive Head Light*
The concept
Adaptive Head Light is a variable headlamp
control system that enables better illumination
of the road surface. Depending on the steering
angle and other parameters, the light from the
headlamp follows the course of the road.
Activating Adaptive Head Light
With the ignition switched on, turn the light
switch into position 3, refer to page102.
To avoid blinding oncoming traffic, the Adaptive
Head Light is not active when driving in reverse
and points toward the passenger side when the
vehicle is stopped.
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.
High-beam assistant*
The concept
This system automatically switches the high
beams on and off. A sensor on the front side of
the inside rearview mirror controls the process.
The assistant makes sure that the high beams
are switched on whenever traffic conditions
permit. This relieves you of the burden of con-
stantly switching back and forth and simulta-
neously provides you with the best possible vis-
ibility. Naturally, you can intervene at any time to
switch the high beams on and off as usual.
Activating system
1.Turn the light switch to position3, refer to
page102.
2.With the low beams switched on, briefly
press the turn signal lever in the high-beam
direction.
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the high-beam
assistant is activated. The system
automatically switches between high beams
and low beams, reacting to oncoming traffic,
vehicles ahead of you, and sufficiently lit areas,
e.g. in built-up zones.

Controls
105Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Manually switching between high
beams and low beams
If you wish or the situation requires, you can
intervene at any time.
>If the high-beam assistant has switched on
the high beams, but you wish to use the low
beams, just switch on the low beams with
the turn signal lever. This deactivates the
high-beam assistant.
In order to reactivate the system, briefly
press the turn signal lever in the high-beam
direction.
>If the high-beam assistant has switched on
the low beams, but you wish to use the high
beams, simply switch on the high beams as
usual. This deactivates the system and it is
up to you to switch back to low beams.
In order to reactivate the system, briefly
press the turn signal lever in the high-beam
direction.
>When the low beams are on, use the head-
lamp flasher as usual.
System limits
The high-beam assistant is designed to
maximize the amount of time that high
beams can be safely used and to quickly switch
back to low beams when traffic approaches.
The system cannot completely replace driver
intervention when unusual conditions are
encountered. For this reason, switch to low
beams when circumstances so dictate. Failure
to do so can pose a safety risk.<
Below are a few examples of situations in which
the system may not react or may only function
to a limited degree, requiring personal interven-
tion:
>in extremely unfavorable weather condi-
tions such as fog or heavy precipitation
>in sensing road users with poor inherent
illumination such as pedestrians, cyclists,
equestrians, horsedrawn vehicles, railroad
or shipping traffic close to the road, and at
deer crossings>in tight curves, on steep crests or dips, with
cross-traffic, or with partially hidden
oncoming traffic on divided highways
>in poorly illuminated areas and in the pres-
ence of highly reflective signs
>in the low speed range
>when the windshield is fogged up, dirty or
covered with stickers, decals etc. in the area
of the inside rearview mirror
>when the sensor is dirty. Clean the sensor
on the front side of the inside rearview mir-
ror with a cloth slightly moistened with glass
cleaner
Moreover, no system can operate without limi-
tations. High-beam assistant operation is sub-
ject to conditions that may reduce the system's
ability to recognize the difference between
actual vehicle head lamps or tail lamps and, for
example, highly reflective signs, markers, and
streetlights. To be on the safe side, the system
may periodically interpret these situations as
conditions that require low beams. Below are
some of the situations in which premature
switching to low beams can occur:
>approaching large and/or highly reflective
signs
>approaching certain lights, such as drive-
way lighting and porch lights
>approaching certain traffic signals
>approaching large reflective markers
In these situations, the system may interpret
the above conditions as a vehicle ahead requir-
ing a switch to low beams. When the conditions
return to normal, the system will reactivate the
high beams.
The high-beam assistant cannot replace the
driver's responsibility for complying with state
laws on high-beam switching or for adapting to
visibility and traffic conditions.
Switching off via iDrive
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.

Lamps
106 3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-
troller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the
controller until "Lighting" is selected and
press the controller.
6.Select "High-beam assistant" and press
the controller.
High-beam assistant is switched off.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Fog lamps
First switch on the parking lamps or the low
beams. The green indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up when the fog lamps are
switched on.
The fog lamps are switched off whenever the
high beams are switched on.
If the automatic headlamp control is acti-
vated, the low beams will come on auto-
matically when you switch on the fog lamps.<
Instrument lighting
You can control the lighting intensity by using
the knurled wheel.
Interior lamps
Control of the interior lamps, footwell lamps,
door entry lighting, courtesy lamps
* and sill
panel lighting
* is automatic.
With the courtesy lamps, LED lights 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 page58.<
Switching interior lamps on and off
manually
Press button 1.
If the interior lamps, footwell lamps, door entry
lighting, courtesy lamps and sill panel lighting
are to remain switched off continually, press the
button for approx. 3 seconds.

Reference 243
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Arrival time
– refer to Computer76
– refer to Starting destination
guidance146
"Arrow display" for navigation
system147
"Arrow display pop-up
instructions"133
Ashtray118
Assist, refer to
BMW Assist199
Assistance systems, refer to
Driving stability control
systems86
Assistance window20
"Assist. window off"21
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control111
"Audio"159,161,166
Audio158
– controls158
– switching on/off158
– tone control159
– volume159
Audio device, external117
Automatic
– air distribution109
– air volume109
– cruise control65,66
– headlamp control102
– recirculated-air control
AUC111
– service notification201
– steering wheel
adjustment49
– storing stations164
Automatic car washes127
– also refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– also refer to Comfort
access38
Automatic climate control108
– automatic air
distribution109
– convertible program109
– switching on and off112
– ventilation with vehicle
parked112Automatic closing of doors,
refer to Automatic soft
closing34
Automatic curb monitor54
Automatic lighting
– refer to Automatic headlamp
control102
– refer to Daytime running
lamps103
– refer to High-beam
assistant104
– refer to Interior lamps106
– refer to Pathway lighting103
– refer to Welcome lamps102
"Automatic programs"109
Automatic soft closing34
Automatic station search163
"Automatic ventilation"113
AUTO program with
automatic climate
control109
"Autostore" on the
radio162,164
"AUX"158,178,180
– in audio mode178
AUX-In connection117,178
Average fuel consumption75
– setting units84
Average speed75
"Avoid ferries" for navigation
system145
"Avoid highways" for
navigation system144
Avoiding freeways for
navigation144
Avoiding unintentional
alarms36
"Avoid tollroads" for
navigation system145
Axle loads, refer to
Weights237
"A - Z"192
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support48
Backrests, refer to Seats48
Backup lamps, replacing
bulbs, refer to Tail
lamps224
"Balance", refer to Tone
control160
Band-aids, refer to First-aid
kit228
Bass, refer to Tone
control159
"Bass", tone control159
Battery
– jump starting228
– refer to Vehicle battery225
Battery replacement, remote
control for comfort
access38
BC button, refer to
Computer75
Being towed230
Belts, refer to Safety belts52
Beverage holder, refer to Cup
holders118
Blower, refer to Air
volume110
"Bluetooth"185
"BMW Assist"200
BMW Assist199
– activating204
– concierge service202
– contacting BMW Customer
Relations202
– displaying vehicle data205
– offered services199
– roadside assistance200
– TeleService201
– updating203
"BMW Contact"194
"BMW Contact
Numbers"194
BMW homepage4
BMW Maintenance
System221

Reference 249
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Fuel
– average consumption75
– display75
– fuel specifications209
– high-quality brands209
– quality209
– specifications209
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities237
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge75
Fuel-efficient driving124
Fuel filler door208
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction208
Fuel gauge75
Full mobile phone preparation
package184
Full screen display, refer to
Switching assistance
window off20
"Full screen" with BMW Night
Vision100
Fuses226
G
Garage-door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control115
Gasoline
– refer to Average fuel
consumption75
– refer to Fuel
specifications209
– refer to Required fuel209
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge75
Gearshift lever, manual
transmission60
General driving
notes124,125
Glass sunroof, electric with
raise function40
– convenient operation32
– convenient operation with
comfort access37
– moving manually41
– remote control31Glove compartment116
– rechargeable flashlight117
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system132
Grills, refer to Ventilation112
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights237
H
Handbrake60
– indicator lamp13,60
Hands-free system, refer to
Microphone14
Hazard warning flashers15
"HD radio"166
HD radio, refer to High
Definition Radio166
Head airbags94
Headlamp control,
automatic102
Headlamp flasher63
Headlamps
– care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– cleaning, refer to Wiper
system64
– cleaning tank, refer to
Capacities237
– filler neck for washer
fluid217
– replacing bulbs223
Head Light, refer to Adaptive
Head Light104
Head restraints
– active front head
restraints50
– front50
– sitting safely47
"Head-Up Display"97
Head-Up Display96
Heated
– mirrors53
– rear window110
– seats53
– steering wheel54
Heater109Heating
– exterior mirrors53
– interior108
– rear window110
– residual heat utilization112
– seats53
– steering wheel54
Heating with engine switched
off, refer to Residual
heat112
Heavy cargo, refer to Securing
cargo128
Height, refer to
Dimensions235
Height adjustment
– seats48
– steering wheel54
High-beam assistant104
High beams104
– headlamp flasher104
– indicator lamp13
High Definition Radio166
High water, refer to Driving
through water
126
Hills126
Holder for cups118
"Home address" for
navigation system144
Homepage of BMW4
Hood216
Horn10
Hotel function33
– unlocking manually33
Hot exhaust system125
"Hour memo"83
"House number" for
destination entry137
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to Brake assistant87
Hydroplaning125
– also refer to Minimum tread
depth213

Reference 251
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Knee airbags94
Knock control209
L
Lamps
– refer to High-beam
assistant104
– refer to Parking lamps/low
beams102
Lamps and bulbs223
Lane limit lines, refer to
Leaving lane warning101
"Language / Units"84
– for navigation
system133,149
"Languages"84
– for navigation
system133,149
Lashing eyes, refer to
Securing cargo128
Last destinations, refer to
Destination list141
"Last seat pos."50
LATCH child restraint fixing
system56
Leaving lane warning101
LEDs light-emitting
diodes223
Length, refer to
Dimensions235
License plate lamps, replacing
bulbs225
Light-emitting diodes
LEDs223
Lighter119
"Lighting"64,103
Lighting
– instruments106
– lamps and bulbs223
– of the vehicle, refer to
Lamps102
Light switch102
"Limit"81
Loading, refer to Cargo
loading127
Load securing equipment,
refer to Securing cargo128"Lock after driving"33
Lock buttons in the doors,
refer to Locking33
Locking31
– confirmation signals31
– from inside33
– from outside31
– without key, refer to Comfort
access36
Locking and unlocking doors
– confirmation signals31
– from inside32
– from outside30
Low beams102
– automatic102
– replacing bulbs224
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support48
Luggage compartment
– capacity237
– emergency release35
– hotel function33
– increasing capacity,
Convertible35
– opening/closing, refer to
Luggage compartment
lid34
– opening from inside34
– opening from outside34
– opening with remote
control31
Luggage compartment lid34
– comfort access37
– emergency operation34
– emergency release35
– opening from inside34
– opening from outside34
– opening with remote
control31,34
– unlocking manually34
Lumbar support48
LW, waveband162
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires215
Maintenance221
– refer to Service and
Warranty Information
Booklet for US models221
– refer to Service
requirements77
– refer to Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models221
Maintenance system221
Malfunction
– convertible top43
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door208
– glass sunroof41
– hotel function33
– luggage compartment lid34
Malfunction warnings, refer to
Check Control79
Manual air distribution110
"Manual" on the radio163
Manual operation
– convertible top43
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door208
– glass sunroof41
– hotel function33
– luggage compartment lid34
– transmission lock, sport
automatic transmission62
Manual transmission60
"Map direction of travel"148
"Map facing north"148
Map for navigation
– changing scale148
– destination entry139
Map view148
Map view facing north148
Master key, refer to Keys/
remote control28
Maximum cooling111

Reference 257
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
"Stop" for stopwatch82
"Stopwatch"82
Stopwatch82
Storage compartments117
"Store in address book" for
navigation system142
"Store" on the radio164,171
Storing current position142
Storing sitting position, refer
to Seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory49
Storing tires215
"Street" for destination
entry136
Summer tires, refer to Wheels
and tires210
"Surround Settings", refer to
Tone control160
SW, waveband162
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching automatically
between high beams and
low beams, refer to High-
beam assistant104
Switching on
– audio158
– CD changer158
– CD player158
– radio158
Swiveling headlamps, refer to
Adaptive Head Light104
Symbols4
– indicator and warning
lamps13
– navigation system152
– status information20
– traffic information with
navigation system150
T
Tachometer74
Tail lamps224
– replacing bulbs224
Tank capacity
– also refer to Capacities237
– fuel tank capacity208
Target cursor for
navigation139Technical alterations, refer to
For your own safety6
Technical data234
Telematics, refer to
BMW Assist199
Telephone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest117
– refer to Mobile phone184
– refer to separate operating
instructions
"Telephone list"55
TeleService201
Temperature
– adjusting in upper body
region110
– adjusting with automatic
climate control109
– changing units of
measure84
– refer to Coolant
temperature74
Temperature display
– changing units of
measure84
– outside temperature74
– outside temperature
warning74
Temperature gauge, engine
oil75
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control65
"Terminate services"204
"Text language"84
"Theater", refer to Tone
control161
The individual vehicle5
Tie-down points, refer to
Securing cargo128
Tilt alarm sensor36
– switching off36
Tilting down passenger-side
exterior mirror54
"Time"83
"Time / Date"82
"Time format"83
Timer, refer to Preselecting
activation time113"Timer 1" for parked-car
ventilation113
"Timer 2" for parked-car
ventilation113
Tire inflation pressure210
Tire pressure loss90,91
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM90
Tire Quality Grading212
Tire replacement, new wheels
and tires214
Tires
– age212
– air loss90,92
– breaking-in124
– condition213
– damage213
– inflation pressure210
– minimum tread depth213
– monitoring inflation
pressure, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor89
– new wheels and tires214
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitor90
– replacing214
– retreaded tires214
– run-flat tires214
– size211
– size, refer to The right
wheels and tires214
– wear indicators213
– wheel/tire combination214
– winter tires215
– with run-flat properties, refer
to Run-flat tires214
TMC station, refer to Traffic
information150
"Tone"159
Tone dialing method194
Tone in audio mode
– adjusting159
– middle setting161
Tone on locking/unlocking31
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit223
Top42
"Top 8" for mobile phone192