2008 BMW 6 SERIES child restraint

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47Reference
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Adjusting
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital con-
tribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. In the
interaction with the safety belts, the head
restraints and the airbags, the seat position
plays an important role in an accident. To
ensure that the safety systems operate with
optimal efficiency, we strongly urge you to fol-
low the instructions contained in the following
section.
For additional information on Transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page56.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance
between yourself and the airbags. Always
hold the steering wheel by its rim with hands at
the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions to mini-
mize the risk of injuries to your hands and arms
in the event of airbag deployment.
No one and nothing is to come between the air-
bags and the seat occupant.
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the
front passenger side as a storage area. Make
sure that the front passenger is sitting correctly
and does not rest feet or legs on the instrument
panel, otherwise leg injuries can occur if the
knee and front airbags are triggered.
Make sure that occupants do not rest their head
on the side or head airbags; otherwise, injuries
can occur if the airbags are triggered.<
Even if you adhere to all the instructions, inju-
ries resulting from contact with airbags cannot
be fully excluded, depending on the circum-
stances. The ignition and inflation noise may
provoke a mild hearing loss in extremely sensi-
tive individuals. This effect is usually only tem-
porary.
For airbag locations and additional information
on airbags, refer to page94.
Head restraints
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the
risk of injury to cervical vertebrae in 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.<
Head restraints, refer to page50.
Safety belt
Before every drive, make sure that safety belts
are being worn at all of the occupied seats. Air-
bags complement the safety belt as an addi-
tional safety device, but they do not represent a
substitute.
Your vehicle has four seats that are each
equipped with a safety belt.
Never allow more than one person to
wear a single safety belt. Never allow
infants or small children to ride in a passenger's
lap. Make sure that the belt lies low around the
hips in the lap area and does not press on the
abdomen. The safety belt must not lie across
the neck, rub against sharp edges, be routed
over solid or breakable objects or be pinched.
Wear the safety belt without twisting, snugly
across the lap and shoulders, as close to the
body as possible. Otherwise, the belt can slip
over the hips in the lap area in a frontal impact
and injure the abdomen. Avoid wearing clothing
that prevents the belt from fitting properly and
pull the shoulder belt upward periodically to
readjust the tension across your lap in order to
avoid a reduction in the restraining effect of the
safety belt.<
Safety belts refer to page52.

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Damage to safety belts
When subjected to strain due to an acci-
dent or in the event of damage, replace
the safety belts, the belt tensioners, and any
child restraint systems and have the belt anchor
points checked. Have this work carried out only
by a BMW center or a workshop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with
appropriately trained personnel. Otherwise,
correct operation of this safety equipment is not
guaranteed.<
Heated seats*
The temperature setting advances one step in
its control sequence each time you press the
button. The maximum temperature is supplied
when three LEDs are lit.
The temperature is reduced and if need be, the
heating is switched off in order to reduce the
load on the battery. The LEDs remain lit.
To switch off:
Press the button longer.
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.<1Adjusting
2Switching to the other mirror or to the
automatic curb monitor
3Folding mirrors in and out
*
Storing the mirror positions, refer to Seat, mir-
ror and steering wheel memory on page49.
Adjusting manually
You can also adjust the mirrors manually by
pressing against the outer edges of their mirror
glass.
Folding exterior mirrors in and out
Pressing button3 allows you to fold mirrors
in and out up to a speed of approx. 20 mph/
30 km/h. This is advantageous, for example, in
car washes, narrow streets or for bringing mir-
r o r s t h a t h a v e b e e n m a n u a l l y f o l d e d - i n b a c k i n t o
the correct position. Mirrors that were folded in
are folded out automatically at a speed of
approx. 25 mph/40 km/h.
Before going through a car wash, fold the
mirrors in manually, or with button 3, oth-
erwise they could be damaged, depending on
the width of the car wash system.<
Automatic heating
Below a certain outdoor temperature, both
exterior mirrors are heated whenever the
engine is running or the ignition is switched on.

Transporting children safely
56
Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle; otherwise, they could endanger
themselves and other persons, e.g. by opening
the doors.<
Children always in the rear
Accident research shows that the safest place
for children is in the back.
Children younger than 13 years of age or
with a height under 5 ft/150 cm may only
be transported in the rear in child restraint sys-
tems which correspond to the age, weight and
height of the child. Otherwise, there is an
increased danger of injury in an accident.<
Children 13 years of age or older must wear a
safety belt as soon as a suitable child restraint
system can no longer be used due to their age,
size and weight.
Exception for front passenger seat
Should it be necessary to use a child
restraint system on the front passenger
seat, the front, knee and side airbags on the
passenger side must be deactivated before
doing so. Otherwise, there is an increased risk
of injury to the child if the airbags are triggered,
even with a child restraint system.<
For more information on automatic deactivation
of the front passenger airbags, refer to page94.
Installing child restraint
systems
Follow child restraint system manufac-
turer's instructions for the selection,
installation and use of child restraint systems.
Otherwise, the degree of protection they offer
may be reduced.<
On front passenger seat
After mounting a child restraint system on
the front passenger seat, make sure that
the front and side airbags on the front passen-
ger side are deactivated, as otherwise there is
an increased risk of injury if the airbags are trig-
gered.<
Child seat security
All rear safety belts and the safety belt for the
front passenger can be locked against pulling
out to secure child restraint systems.
Locking safety belt
1.Secure the child restraint system with the
belt.
2.Pull out the belt webbing completely.
3.Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in and
pull taut against the child restraint system.
The safety belt is locked.
Unlocking safety belt
1.Open the belt buckle.
2.Remove the child restraint system.
3.Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in com-
pletely.
LATCH child restraint fixing
system
LATCH: Lower Anchor and Tethers for CHil-
dren.

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Follow the system manufacturer's
instructions on installation and use of
LATCH child restraint systems in order not to
impair their protective function.<
Anchor points for LATCH mounts
Before attaching the LATCH child's seat, pull
the belt away from the region of the child
restraint fixing system.
Make sure that both of the lower LATCH
mounts have properly clicked into place
and that the child restraint system is resting
snugly against the backrest. Otherwise, the
protective action may be impeded.<
Rear seats
The mounting points for the LATCH anchors
are located at the positions indicated by arrows
in the gap between the seat and the backrest.
Coupe: child restraint system with
tether strap
Only use the top tether-strap mounting
points to secure child restraint systems,
otherwise the mounting points could be dam-
aged. child restraint systems with a tether strap, refer
to arrows.
Placement of tether strap
Make sure that the tether strap is not
routed over sharp edges and does not
twist on its way to the upper mounting point;
otherwise, the belt may not properly secure the
child restraint system in the event of an acci-
dent.<
1Direction of travel
2Head restraints
3Tether strap hook
4Mounting point
5Rear window shelf/luggage compartment
floor
6Backrest
7Tether strap of child restraint system
Before using the mounting points, fold the head
restraint
* into its raised position.
1.Slide the head restraint into the bottom
position.
2.Guide the tether strap over the head
restraint.
3.Attach the tether strap hook to the mount-
ing point.

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
94
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the
marked covers:
1Front airbags
2Coupe: Head airbags
3Side airbags
4Knee airbag
5Knee airbag
Protective action
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection,
please follow the adjustment instructions on
page47.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and
front passenger by responding to frontal
impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-
vide adequate restraint. When needed, the
head and side airbags help provide protection in
the event of a side impact. The relevant side air-
bag supports the side upper body area. The
head airbag supports the head. The knee airbag
protects the legs from colliding with the cockpit.
The airbags are deliberately not triggered in
every impact situation, e. g. less severe acci-
dents or rear-end collisions.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or
modify them in any other way. Do not attempt to
remove the airbag restraint system from the
vehicle. Do not modify or tamper with either the
wiring or the individual components in the air-
bag system. This category includes the uphol-
stery in the center of the steering wheel, on the
instrument panel, the side trim panels on the
doors and on the Coupe, the roof pillars along with the sides of the headliner. Do not attempt
to remove or dismantle the steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components
directly after the system has been triggered,
because there is a danger of burns.
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation, or
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have
the testing, repair, removal, and disposal of air-
bag generators carried out only by a BMW cen-
ter or a workshop that works according to BMW
repair procedures with appropriately trained
personnel and has the required explosives
licenses. Otherwise unprofessional attempts to
service the system could lead to failure in an
emergency or undesired airbag triggering,
either of which could result in personal injury.<
Warnings and information on the airbags is also
provided on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of front
passenger airbags
The occupation of the seat is detected by eval-
uating the impression on the occupied seat sur-
face of the front passenger seat. The system
correspondingly activates or deactivates the
front, knee and side airbags on the front pas-
senger side.
The current status of the front passenger
airbags, i.e. deactivated or activated, is
indicated by the indicator lamp over the interior
rearview mirror, refer to Operating state of front
passenger airbags below.<
Before transporting a child in the front
passenger seat, read the safety informa-
tion and follow the instructions under Trans-
porting children safely, refer to page56.

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Mobility
The front, knee and side airbags on the front
passenger side can be deactivated for teenag-
ers and adults in certain sitting positions; the
indicator lamp for the front passenger airbags
lights up when this occurs. In these cases,
change the sitting position so that the front pas-
senger airbags are activated and the indicator
lamp goes out. If the desired status cannot be
produced by changing the sitting position,
transport the corresponding person in the rear
seat.
Do not fit seat covers, seat cushion padding,
beaded mats or other items onto the front pas-
senger seat unless they are specifically recom-
mended by BMW. Do not place objects under
the seat which could press against the seat
from below. Otherwise, a correct evaluation of
the occupied seat surface cannot be ensured.<
Operating state of front passenger
airbags
The illustration here shows a possible arrange-
ment in the Coupe. With some vehicle equip-
ment packages or in the Convertible, the
arrangement of the switches and indicator
lamps may differ somewhat.
The indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags indicates the operating status of the front,
knee and side airbags on the front passenger
side depending on whether the seat is occu-
pied. The indicator lamp shows whether the
front passenger airbags are activated or deacti-
vated.
>The indicator lamp lights up when a child in
a child restraint system intended for the
purpose is properly detected on the seat.
The front, knee and side airbags on the front
passenger side are deactivated.Most child seats are detected by the sys-
tem. Especially the child seats required
by the NHTSA at the time the vehicle is manu-
factured. After installing a child seat, make sure
that the indicator lamp for the front passenger
airbags lights up. This indicates that the child
seat has been detected and the front passenger
airbags are not activated.<
>The indicator lamp does not light up when,
for example, a correctly seated person of
sufficient height is detected on the seat.
The front, knee and side airbags on the front
passenger side are activated.
>The indicator lamp does not light up when
the seat is empty.
But the front, knee and side airbags on the
front passenger side are still deactivated.
Operational readiness of airbag system
From radio readiness, refer to page58, the
warning lamp lights up briefly, indicating the
operational readiness of the entire airbag sys-
tem and the safety belt tensioners.
Airbag system malfunction
>Warning lamp does not light up as of radio
readiness.
>Warning lamp lights up continuously.
Have the airbag system checked immedi-
ately in case of a malfunction; otherwise,
there is a danger that the airbag system may not
respond in the expected manner in an accident
despite an impact of corresponding intensity.<

Reference 245
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
CD changer172
– controls158
– fast forward/reverse176
– installation location176
– random sequence175
– repeating a track175
– sampling a track174
– selecting a CD173
– selecting a track173
– switching on/off158
– tone control159
– volume159
CD player172
– controls158
– fast forward/reverse176
– random sequence175
– repeating a track175
– sampling a track174
– selecting a track173
– switching on/off158
– tone control159
– volume159
Center armrest, adjusting
height117
Center console14
"Central locking"30
Central locking
– from inside32
– from outside30
Central locking system30
– comfort access36
– hotel function33
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety6
Changing a wheel225
Changing language on
Control Display84
Changing scale for navigation
system display148
Changing units of measure on
Control Display84
Changing wheels214
CHECK button80
Check Control79
"Check Control
messages"80
Check Gas Cap208
Checking air pressure, refer to
Tire inflation pressure210Child-restraint fixing system
LATCH56
Child restraint systems56
Child seats, refer to
Transporting children
safely56
Chrome parts, refer to Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Cigarette lighter
119
Cigarette lighter socket, refer
to Connecting electrical
devices119
Cleaning, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
"Climate"109
Clock74
– 12h/24h format83
– hour signal83
– setting time and date82
Closing
– from inside32
– from outside30
Closing fuel filler cap208
Clothes hooks, Coupe118
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting
engine59
Comfort access36
– observe in car wash38
– replacing battery, remote
control38
Comfort closing
– windows, with comfort
access with Coupe37
– with comfort access37
"Communication"190,200
Compact disc
– refer to CD changer172
– refer to CD player172
Compartment for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock58
Compartments, refer to
Storage compartments117
Compressed audio files172
Computer75
– displays on Control
Display76
– hour signal83"Concert hall", refer to Tone
control161
"Concierge"202
Concierge service202
Condensation, refer to When
vehicle is parked126
Condition Based Service
CBS221
"Confirmation"31
Confirmation signals for
locking and unlocking31
Connecting car vacuum
cleaner, refer to Connecting
electrical devices119
Consumption display, refer to
Average fuel
consumption75
Consumption statistics, refer
to Average fuel
consumption75
"Continue guidance to
destination?"147
"Contrast" with BMW Night
Vision100
Control Center, refer to
iDrive16
Control Display, refer to
iDrive16
– setting brightness83
– switching off/on21
Controller, refer to iDrive16
Controls, refer to Cockpit10
Convenient operation
– convertible top31,32
– glass sunroof31,32
– windows31,32
Convertible
– convertible program for
automatic climate
control109
– opening and closing
windows39
– rollover protection
system96
– top42
– wind deflector45
– window and convertible top
operation with comfort
access37

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