2008 BMW 6 SERIES Owners Manual

At a glance
23Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Voice command system
The concept
The voice command system allows you to con-
trol operation of various vehicle systems with-
out taking your hands off the steering wheel.
Individual menu items on the Control Display
can be spoken as commands. This frees you of
having to use the controller.
The voice command system transforms your
spoken commands into control signals for the
selected systems and provides support in the
form of instructions or questions.
The voice command system includes a special
microphone.
The microphone is located:
>Near the interior rearview mirror in the
Coupe, refer to page14
>On the steering column in the Convertible
Prerequisite
In order to enable identification of the com-
mands to be spoken, use iDrive to set the lan-
guage for the voice command system. Setting
iDrive language, refer to page84.
Symbols in Owner's Manual
Voice commands
Activating voice command system
1.Press the button.
This symbol on the Control Display and
an acoustic signal tell you that the voice
command system can respond to com-
mands.
2.Say the command.
The command is displayed on the Control
Display.
This symbol is shown on the Control Display
when you can input additional commands.
*
{...} Say the specified commands word for
word.
{{...}} Indicates the responses of the voice
command system.

Voice command system
24 If no other commands are possible, then oper-
ate the equipment using iDrive.
Terminating or canceling voice
command
Press the button on the steering wheel
or
Commands
Having possible commands read aloud
You can have the system read aloud the possi-
ble commands related to the selected menu
item on the Control Display.
To have the system list the possible com-
mands:
For example, if you have selected "CD", the
system will read aloud the possible commands
for operating the CD player and the CD
changer
*.
Opening help
Using alternative commands
There are often several commands for running
a function, e.g.:
Running functions directly with short
commands
With short commands you can run certain func-
tions directly, regardless of which menu item is
selected, refer to page238.
Opening start menuAn example: selecting a track
1.Switch on Entertainment sound output if
necessary.
2.Press the button on the steering wheel.
5.Press the button on the steering wheel. {Cancel}
{Options}
{Help}
{Radio on} or {Turn radio on}
{Main menu}
3.{Entertainment}
The system says:
{{Entertainment}}
4.{CD}
The system says:
{{CD on}}
6.Select a track, e.g.:
{Track 1}
The system says:
{{Track 1}}

At a glance
25Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Notes
The mobile phone can also be operated
with voice commands, refer to
page195.<
For voice commands, bear the following in
mind:
>Say the commands and numbers smoothly
and at normal volume, avoiding excessive
emphasis and pauses. This also applies to
spelling when entering the destination.
>Always issue commands in the language of
the voice command system.
>When selecting a radio station, use the
usual pronunciation of the station name.
>For entries in the voice-activated phone
book, only use names in the language of the
voice command system and do not use
abbreviations.
>Keep the doors, windows and glass sun-
roof
* or convertible top closed to prevent
interference from ambient noise.
>Avoid background noises in the vehicle
while speaking.

Controls
This chapter is intended to provide you with
information for complete control of your vehicle.
Its extensive array of features and accessories,
both for driving and for your own safety,
comfort and convenience, are described here.
Controls

Opening and closing
28
Opening and closing
Keys/remote control
1Remote control with integrated key
2Spare key
3Adapter for spare key, in glove compart-
ment
Remote control with integrated key
Each remote control contains a battery which is
charged in the ignition lock while driving. Drive a
longer distance with each remote control at
least twice a year to keep the battery charged.
For comfort access
*, the remote control con-
tains a replaceable battery, refer to page38.
Depending on which remote control is detected
by the vehicle during unlocking, different set-
tings are activated and executed in the vehicle,
refer to Personal Profile, page29.
Information on the required maintenance is also
stored in the remote control, refer to Service
data in remote control, page221.
Integrated key
Press button1 to unlock the key.The integrated key fits the following locks:
>Hotel function, refer to page33
>Driver's door, refer to page32
>Luggage compartment lid, refer to page34
New remote controls
To obtain additional or replace lost keys, new
remote controls with an integrated key are
available at your BMW center.
Spare key
Store the spare key in a safe place such as your
wallet. This key is not intended for regular use.
The spare key and integrated key of the remote
control fit the same locks.
Adapter for spare key
The adapter is required so that the vehicle can
be started with the spare key or radio readiness
can be switched on.
Remove the adapter from the holder in the
glove compartment and slide the spare key into
the adapter before use.

Controls
29Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Personal Profile
The concept
You can set a number of functions of your BMW
individually according to your preferences.
Personal Profile ensures that most of these set-
tings are stored for the remote control currently
in use without you having to do anything. When
the vehicle is unlocked, the corresponding
remote control is detected and the settings
stored for it are called up and carried out.
This means that you will always find your BMW
set to your own personal settings even if
another person with his/her own remote control
and settings has used the vehicle since the last
time you drove it. The individual settings are
stored for a maximum of four remote controls.
Personal Profile settings
Details on the settings are provided on the
specified pages.
>Behavior of the central locking system
when unlocking vehicle, refer to page30
>Automatic locking of the vehicle, refer to
page33
>Programming buttons on steering wheel,
refer to page55
>Displays on Control Display:
>12h/24h clock mode, refer to page83
>Date format, refer to page83
>Brightness of the Control Display, refer
to page83
>Units of measure for consumption,
route/distances, temperature and pres-
sure, refer to page84
>Language on the Control Display, refer
to page84>Lighting settings:
>Triple turn signal activation, refer to
page64
>Welcome lamps, refer to page102
>Pathway lighting, refer to page103
>Daytime running lamps
*, refer to
page103
>High-beam assistant
*, refer to page104
>PDC Park Distance Control
*: optical warn-
ing, refer to page86
>Head-Up Display
*: selection and bright-
ness of display, refer to page97
>BMW Night Vision
*: display settings, refer
to page100
>Automatic climate control: for AUTO pro-
gram and intensity, cooling function, and
automatic recirculated air control/recircu-
lated air mode, temperature, air distribution,
temperature in the upper body region, refer
to page109
>Navigation system
*: voice instructions for
destination guidance, refer to page132
The most recent settings for the following are
also called up during unlocking:
>Programmable memory/direct selection
buttons: selecting stored functions, refer to
page44
>Driver's seat, exterior-mirror and steering-
wheel position, refer to page49
>Audio sources: volume and tone settings,
refer to page159
>Radio: display of stored stations, refer to
page162
>Phone: adjusting volume, refer to page190

Opening and closing
30
Central locking system
The concept
The central locking system is ready for opera-
tion whenever the driver's door is closed.
The system either locks or unlocks all of the fol-
lowing:
>Doors
>Compartment in the front center console
>Luggage compartment lid
>Fuel filler door
Operating from outside
>via the remote control
>via the door lock
>with comfort access
* via the door handles
These actions operate the anti-theft system at
the same time. It prevents the doors from being
unlocked using the lock buttons or door han-
dles. The interior lamps and the courtesy
lamps
* are also switched on and off with the
remote control. The alarm system
is armed/dis-
armed at the same time.
You can find more detailed information on the
alarm system
on page35.
Operating from inside
Via the central locking button, refer to page32.
The fuel filler door
and the compartment in the
front center console are not locked, refer to
page32.
In the event of a serious accident, the central
locking system unlocks automatically. The haz-
ard warning flashers and interior lamps are also
switched on.
Opening and closing:
Using remote control
Persons or animals left unattended in a
parked vehicle can lock the doors from
the inside. Always take along the remote control
when leaving the vehicle so that the vehicle can
then be opened from the outside.<
Unlocking
Press the button.
You can set how the vehicle is unlocked. The
setting is stored for the remote control currently
in use.
iDrive, for operating 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.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the
controller until "Door locks" is selected and
press the controller.
6.Select "Central locking" and press the con-
troller.
7.Select "Unlock button" and press the con-
troller.
8.Select a menu item:
>"All doors"
Press the button once to unlock the
entire vehicle.
>"Driver's door only"
*
Press the button once to unlock only
the driver's door and the fuel filler door.