2008 BMW 750I warning light

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
86
Technology for comfort, convenience and
safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
The PDC assists you when you are parking.
Audible signals and an optical display indicate
that you are approaching an object in front of or
behind your vehicle. To measure the distance,
four ultrasonic sensors are provided in each
bumper. The range of these sensors is approx.
6 ft/2 m. However, an acoustic warning begins
to sound for the sensors at the front and at the
two rear corners at approx. 24 in/60 cm, and for
the center rear sensors at approx. 5 ft/1.50 m.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate
objects when they are approached
slowly, as is usually the case when parking.
Avoid approaching an object at high speed; oth-
erwise, the system may sound the warning of
physical obstacles too late.<
Automatically activating
The system is activated approx. 1 second after
you engage the transmission position R with
the engine running or the ignition switched on.
Wait this short period before proceeding.
Manual activation
Press the button, the LED lights up.
Manual deactivation
Press the button again; the LED goes out.After driving approx. 165 ft/50 m or at over
approx. 20 mph/30 km/h, the system switches
off and the LED goes out. You can reactivate the
system manually as needed.
Signal tones
An intermittent signal indicates the distance of
the vehicle from an object being approached.
Thus, an object detected to the left rear of the
vehicle will be indicated by a signal tone from
the left rear speaker, etc. As the distance
between vehicle and object decreases, the
intervals between the tones become shorter.
The signal tone becomes continuous once the
distance to the nearest object falls below
roughly 1 ft/30 cm.
An intermittent tone is interrupted after approx.
3seconds:
>if you remain in front of an object that was
only detected by one of the corner sensors
>if you drive parallel to a wall
Malfunction
The LED in the button flashes and a message
appears on the Info Display. PDC has failed.
Have the system checked.
To prevent this problem, keep the sensors
clean and free of ice or snow in order to ensure
that they will continue to operate effectively.
When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray sensors for long periods and keep the
sprayer at least 4 in/10 cm away from the sen-
sors.
PDC with visual warning
You can also have the system show distances
to objects on the Control Display. Objects that
are farther away are displayed there before a
signal tone begins to sound.
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.

Controls
89Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Deactivating DTC
Select "DTC" and press the controller.
The LED on the Control Display and the DTC
indicator lamp on the Info Display go out.
Dynamic Drive
The concept
Dynamic Drive minimizes body roll and opti-
mizes vehicle stability during cornering and
evasive maneuvers.
Active stabilizers at the front and rear axles form
the basis for Dynamic Drive. Suspension com-
pliance adapts to suit driving conditions, vary-
ing from performance-oriented during corner-
ing to smooth and comfort-oriented when the
vehicle is traveling in a straight line. During vehi-
cle operation, the system continuously runs
through closed-loop control cycles lasting only
fractions of a second.
The system assumes operational status each
time you start the engine.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up yellow and
a message appears on the Info Display.
A malfunction has occurred in the
Dynamic Drive system. Have the system
checked as soon as possible.
If a malfunction occurs, please remember
to adapt your speed accordingly, espe-
cially in curves.
The suspension will be noticeably softer and
the vehicle will display a greater tendency to tilt
during cornering and in crosswinds.<
If a Check Control message indicates an oil loss,
stop as soon as possible at a suitable location
and switch off the engine. Do not continue driv-
ing, contact your BMW center.
Self-leveling suspension*
Malfunction
The warning lamp for self-leveling sus-
pension lights up yellow and a message
appears on the Info Display.
A malfunction has occurred in the level control
system.
Stop driving and check the vehicle:
>The vehicle is considerably lower at the rear
than at the front, possibly also on one side,
at the rear left compared to the rear right.
>The ground clearance is reduced or the
driving comfort is noticeably reduced.
>The position of the vehicle is normal, but a
malfunction is indicated.
Drive to the nearest BMW center or a workshop
that works in accordance with BMW guidelines
and uses appropriately trained personnel. Drive
with appropriate caution in the meantime.
EDC Electronic Damping
Control*
If the influencing variables such as road surface
quality or operating conditions such as steer-
ing, braking etc. change, the damping automat-
ically adjusts to the new conditions.
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the button to open the start
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Settings".
3.Select "Vehicle" and press the controller.
4.Select "EDC" and press the controller.

Controls
91Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
6.Start driving.
It takes at least 10 minutes before the Flat
Tire Monitor is once again able to detect
and report a flat tire.
The initialization is completed during driving.
To exit the menu:
Select the arrow and press the controller.
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamp lights up red and a
message appears on the Info Display. In
addition, a signal sounds. A flat tire or a
major air loss has occurred.
1.Reduce speed and stop the vehicle care-
fully. Avoid sudden braking and steering
maneuvers.
2.Identify the damaged tire.
If identification is not possible, con-
tact your BMW center.<
3.Replace the damaged tire, refer to Chang-
ing wheels on page215.
Run-flat tires*
1.Cautiously reduce the vehicle speed to
below 50 mph/80 km/h. Avoid hard braking
and steering maneuvers and do not exceed
50 mph/80 km/h.
If the vehicle is not equipped with run-
flat tires, refer to page205, do not
continue to drive. Continued driving after a
flat tire can result in serious accidents.<
2.Check the air pressure in all four tires at the
next opportunity.
If the tire inflation pressure in all four
tires is correct, the Flat Tire Monitor
may not have been initialized. The system
must then be initialized.<
3.In the event of a total loss of inflation pres-
sure, 0 psi/kPa, or obvious tire damage, you
can estimate the possible distance for con-
tinued driving on the basis of the following
guide values:
>With low load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km.>With medium load:
2 persons, luggage compartment full, or
4 persons without luggage:
approx. 95 miles/150 km.
>With full load:
4 or more persons, luggage compart-
ment full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km.
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. In the event of
pressure loss, vehicle handling changes. This
includes reduced tracking stability in braking,
extended braking distances, and altered natural
steering characteristics.
If unusual vibrations or loud noises occur while
the vehicle is being driven, this can indicate final
failure of the damaged tire. Reduce speed and
stop at a suitable location as soon as possible;
otherwise, pieces of the tire could come off and
cause an accident. Do not continue driving,
contact your BMW center.<
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up yellow and
a message appears on the Info Display.
The Flat Tire Monitor has failed. Have
the system checked as soon as possible.
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor*
The concept
TPM checks the tire inflation pressure in the
four mounted tires. The system indicates if the
tire inflation pressure has dropped considerably
in one or several tires.
Functional requirement
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat
tire, the system must have been reset with the
correct tire inflation pressure.
Always use wheels with TPM electronics; oth-
erwise, the system cannot be assured of func-
tioning properly.
Reset the system again after each correc-
tion of the tire inflation pressure and after
every tire or wheel change.<

Controls
93Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
ing driving. The tires are displayed in green on
the Control Display.
If a flat tire is detected during the reset-
ting and adoption of the tire inflation pres-
sures, all tires are shown in yellow on the Con-
trol Display. The message "Status: Tire low!" is
displayed.<
Low tire pressure message
The warning lamp lights up yellow. A
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. In addition, a signal sounds. A flat
tire or a major air loss has occurred.
1.Reduce speed and stop the vehicle care-
fully. Avoid sudden braking and steering
maneuvers.
2.Check whether your vehicle is equipped
with standard tires or run-flat tires.
You will recognize run-flat tires by a
circular symbol containing the letters
RSC on the side of the tire, refer to
page205.<
Standard tires
1.If all four wheels are shown in yellow, iden-
tify the damaged tire on the vehicle.
2.Replace the damaged wheel or wheels,
refer to Changing wheels on page215.
The spare wheel is equipped with the neces-
sary TPM electronics and when mounted, will
also be monitored once the system has been
reset.
Have the tire replaced by a BMW center or a
workshop that is familiar with handling TPM and
works according to BMW repair procedures
with correspondingly trained personnel.
Run-flat tires*
1.Cautiously reduce speed to below 50 mph/
80 km/h. Avoid hard braking and steering
maneuvers and do not exceed 50 mph/
80 km/h.
If the vehicle is not equipped with run-
flat tires, refer to page205, do not
continue to drive. Continued driving after a
flat tire can result in serious accidents.<2.In the event of complete tire pressure loss,
0 psi/0 kPa, you can estimate the possible
distance for continued driving on the basis
of the following guide values:
>With a light load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With a medium load:
2 persons, luggage compartment full, or
4 persons without luggage:
approx. 95 miles/150 km
>With a full load:
4 or more persons, luggage compart-
ment full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. In the event of
pressure loss, vehicle handling changes. This
includes reduced tracking stability in braking,
extended braking distance and altered natural
steering characteristics.
If unusual vibrations occur while the vehicle is
being driven, this can indicate final failure of the
damaged tire. Reduce speed and stop as soon
as possible; otherwise, pieces of the tire could
come loose and cause an accident. Do not con-
tinue driving, contact your BMW center.<
Malfunction
The yellow warning light flashes and
then lights up continuously. The tires
are shown in gray on the Control Dis-
play and a message is displayed. No flat tire can
be detected. Have system checked.
A message like this is displayed in the following
situations:
>When a malfunction is occurring.
Have the system checked.
>When a wheel without TPM electronics is
mounted.
>When TPM is experiencing temporary inter-
ference from other systems or devices that
use the same radio frequency.

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
96 refer to page54.
In certain sitting positions, teenagers and adults
can deactivate the front, knee and side airbag
on the front passenger side; when this occurs,
the indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags lights up. In these cases, change the sit-
ting position so that the front passenger airbags
are activated and the indicator lamp goes out.
If the desired status cannot be produced by
changing the sitting position, have the person
ride in the back. Do not place slip covers, seat
cushions, beaded mats, or other objects on the
passenger seat that are not specifically recom-
mended by BMW. Do not lay objects under the
seat which could press against the seat from
below. Otherwise, a correct evaluation of the
occupied seat surface cannot be assured.<
Operating state of front passenger
airbags
The indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags indicates the operational status of the
front, knee and side airbag on the front passen-
ger side depending on whether the seat is
occupied. The indicator lamp shows whether
the front passenger airbags are activated or
deactivated.
>The indicator lamp lights up when a child
properly seated in a child restraint system
intended for the purpose is detected on the
seat.
Front, knee and side airbag on the front
passenger side are deactivated.
Most child seats are detected by the
system. It is particularly advisable to
use child seats approved by NHTSA at the
time that the vehicle was produced. After
installing a child's seat, make sure that the indicator light for the front passenger air-
bags is illuminated. This indicates that the
system has detected the child's seat and
has deactivated the front passenger air-
bags.<
>The indicator lamp does not light up when,
for example, a correctly seated person of
sufficient height is detected on the seat.
Front, knee and side airbag on the front
passenger side are activated.
>The indicator lamp does not light up when
the seat is empty.
The front, knee, and side airbags on the
front passenger side are not activated in
this case either.
Operational readiness of the airbag
system
Once the radio ready position is reached, the
warning lamp lights up briefly, thus indicating
the operational readiness of the entire airbag
system and the safety belt tensioners.
Airbag system malfunction
>Warning lamp does not light up from radio
ready state.
>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.<

Maintenance
212
Socket for OBD Onboard
Diagnostics
Components which are decisive for the
exhaust-gas composition can be checked via
the OBD socket with a device.
This socket is located to the left on the driver's
side, on the underside of the instrument panel
under a cover.
Emissions values
The warning lamp lights up. The emis-
sions values are deteriorating. Have the
vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Display of the previously described
malfunction on Canadian models.
Under certain circumstances, the warning lamp
will flash. This is a sign of excessive misfiring of
the engine. In this case you should reduce
speed and drive to the nearest BMW center as
soon as possible. Serious engine misfiring,
even for only a short period of time, can seri-
ously damage emission control components,
especially the catalytic converter.
If the fuel filler cap is not properly tight-
ened, the OBD system can detect the
vapor leak and the indicator lamp will light up. If
the cap is then tightened, the display should go
out within a few days.<
Event Data Recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or sev-
eral measuring and diagnosis modules, or with a
device for recording or transmitting certain
vehicle data or information. If you have also
signed a contract of participation for BMW
Assist, certain vehicle data can be transmitted
or recorded to enable corresponding services.
Care
You can find useful information on caring for
your BMW in the Caring for your vehicle bro-
chure.

Mobility
221Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Your BMW has a special nut that serves as a
body ground or negative terminal, refer to
arrow2.
5.Attach the second negative/– clamp of the
jumper cable to the negative battery termi-
nal or to an engine or body ground on the
vehicle to be started.
Starting engine
1.Start the engine of the assisting vehicle and
allow it to run for several minutes at a fast
idle.
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in the
usual way.
If the first start attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge.
3.Allow the engines to run for several min-
utes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables again in the
reverse sequence.
If need be, have the battery checked and
recharged.
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine.<
Towing and tow starting
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 threaded tow fitting is stored in the
onboard tool kit and must always remain in the
vehicle. It can be screwed in at the front or rear
of the BMW.
Only use the tow fitting that comes with
the vehicle and screw it in as far as it will
go. Use the tow fitting for towing only on roads.
Avoid lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting. Otherwise,
damage to the tow fitting and the vehicle can
occur.<
Access to screw thread
Press the arrow symbol to push out the cover.
Being towed
Do not tow the vehicle by the rear axle;
because there is no steering lock, the
wheels could turn to an extreme angle during
towing. There is no power assist with the
engine stopped. This then requires increased
effort for braking and steering.<
Switch on the hazard warning flashers depend-
ing on the local regulations. If the electrical sys-
tem fails, mark the vehicle to be towed, e.g. with
a sign or warning triangle in the rear window.
Selector lever in position N. Releasing
shiftlock manually, refer to page64. To
avoid damaging the automatic transmission, do
not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph/70 km/h
and a towing distance of 95 miles/150 km.<
Towing methods
In some countries, towing with tow bars or
ropes in public traffic is not permitted.
Familiarize yourself with the regulations on tow-
ing in the respective country.
With tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the vehicle to be towed; otherwise,
it will no longer be possible to control vehicle
response.<

Everything from A to Z
236 Creating voice address
book141
Cruise control67,69
– refer to Active cruise
control69
– refer to Programmable
cruise control67
Cruising range77
Cup holders115
Curb weight, refer to
Weights228
Current consumption, refer to
Energy Control77
Currentness of Owner's
Manual5
Current position
– displaying147
– storing139
Cursor for navigation, refer to
Selecting destination via
map135
"Curve mode", BMW Night
Vision98
Customizing settings, refer to
Key Memory31
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit10
Data226
– dimensions227
– engine226
– filling capacities229
– weights228
Date, refer to Assistance
window20
– display format84
– setting84
"Date", setting84
Daytime running lamps100
"DEACTIV.", BMW Assist193
Deactivating front passenger
airbags54
Defroster, rear window107
Defrosting windows106Defrosting windows and
removing condensation106
Dehumidifying air, refer to
Cooling function, switching
on and off manually107
"DELETE", navigation140
Deleting address book140
Deleting entire list, refer to
Deleting entries in lists186
Deleting entries in lists186
Destination for navigation131
– selecting using voice141
– selecting via information135
Destination list in navigation
system, deleting138
"Dest. input", navigation131
"Dest. list", navigation138
Dialed numbers, refer to
Redialing185
Diamond button52
Digital clock75
Dimensions227
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals65
Direction announcements,
refer to Route guidance by
voice instructions146
Direction instructions, refer to
Voice instructions146
Directory, refer to
– Address book139
– Phone book186
Displacement, refer to Engine
specifications226
Display, refer to
– iDrive16
– Info Display12
Display illumination, refer to
Instrument lighting101
Displaying track information,
CD changer167
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting101
Display of malfunctions, refer
to Check Control80Disposal
– remote control battery39
– vehicle battery218
Distance to destination77
– refer to Remaining
distance77
– units of measure84
Distance warning, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control86
Door entry lighting, refer to
Interior lamps101
Door key, refer to Remote
control/key30
Door lock34
Doors
– unlocking and locking from
inside34
– unlocking and locking from
outside32
DOT Quality Grades203
Draft-free ventilation107
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams100
Driving notes122
Driving route, refer to
Displaying route145
Driving stability control87
Driving tips, refer to Driving
notes122
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function107
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control87
– indicator lamp13
"DTC"88
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control88
– indicator lamp13
"DVD", DVD changer171