2008 BMW 750I SEDAN steering

Driving tips
123Reference
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Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This phenomenon is referred to as hydro-
planing, and is characterized by a partial or
complete loss of contact between tires and
road surface, ultimately undermining your abil-
ity to steer and brake the vehicle.<
Driving through water
Only drive through water with a maximum
depth of 1 ft/30 cm and then, at no more
than walking speed. Otherwise, you run the risk
of damaging the vehicle's engine, electrical sys-
tems, and transmission.<
Safe braking
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as standard
equipment. In situations that require it, it is best
to apply the brakes fully. Since the vehicle
maintains steering responsiveness, you can
nevertheless avoid possible obstacles with a
minimum of steering effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combines with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits to indicate to
the driver that ABS is in its active mode.
Driving in wet conditions
When driving in wet conditions and in heavy
rain, it is a good idea to apply light pressure to
the brake pedal every few miles. Monitor traffic
conditions to ensure that this maneuver does
not endanger other road users. The heat gener-
ated helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure
that full braking efficiency will then be available
when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and reduced effi-
ciency of the brake system, drive long or
steep downhill grades in the gear that requires
the least amount of braking. Otherwise, even
light but consistent pedal pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear, and possibly
even failure of the brake system. action by selecting a lower gear in the automatic
transmission's manual mode, downshifting as
far as first gear on extremely steep stretches,
refer to page63. This strategy helps you avoid
placing excessive loads on the brake system.
Do not drive in idle or with the engine
switched off; otherwise, there will be no
engine braking action or power-assist for the
brakes and steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area of movement
of the pedals and impair their operation.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in operating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimal
pressure that must be exerted by the pads dur-
ing brake applications to clean the rotors is not
reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
When vehicle is parked
Condensation forms in the automatic climate
control during operation, and then exits under
the vehicle. Traces of condensed water under
the vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
1.Fold in the exterior mirrors, refer to page50;
otherwise, they could be damaged due to
the width of the vehicle.
To permit the vehicle to roll, follow the
instructions on page58.
2.Release the parking brake, especially when
you have activated Automatic Hold. Refer to
page59.

Driving tips
125Reference
At a glance
Controls
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Mobility
Securing cargo
>Use the luggage net* or securing straps to
secure small and lightweight luggage and
cargo.
>Heavy-duty straps
* for securing larger and
heavier objects are available at your BMW
center. Four lashing eyes for attaching
these heavy-duty straps are provided in the
luggage compartment, refer to illustration.
>Please follow the special instructions sup-
plied with the heavy-duty straps.
Always position and secure the load as
described above. If you do not, it can
endanger the passengers, for example during
braking or evasive maneuvers.
Attach heavy-duty straps only to the lashing
eyes, refer to illustration, otherwise, the heavy-
duty straps could come loose or the vehicle
could be damaged.
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle
weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer
to page228, as excessive loads can impair the
operational safety of the vehicle and may also
put you in violation of highway safety laws.
You should never transport unsecured heavy or
hard objects in the passenger compartment, as
they could fly around and pose a safety hazard
to the vehicle's occupants during abrupt brak-
ing or evasive maneuvers .<
Roof-mounted luggage rack*
A special rack system is available as an option
for your BMW. Please comply with the precau-
tions included with the installation instructions.
Anchorage points
The anchorage points are located inside the
door openings.
Loading roof rack
Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center of
gravity when loaded, they have a major effect on
its handling and steering response.
You should therefore always remember not to
exceed the approved roof load capacity, the
approved gross vehicle weight or the axle loads
when loading the rack.
You can find this information under Weights on
page228.
The roof load must be uniformly distributed and
should not be too large in area. Always load the
heaviest pieces on the bottom. Be sure that
adequate clearance is maintained for raising the
glass sunroof, and that objects do not project
into the opening path of the luggage compart-
ment lid.
Secure roof-mounted cargo correctly and
securely to prevent it from shifting or falling off
as you drive.
Drive smoothly. Avoid sudden acceleration and
braking maneuvers. Take corners gently.

Route guidance
146
Displaying streets or towns on the
route
You can have the names of the streets and
towns/cities on your route displayed whenever
the route guidance is active.
The display also shows the distances to be trav-
eled on each individual road.
1.Press the controller as needed.
2.Select "View" and press the controller.
3.Select "Route" and press the controller.
To exit the menu:
Select the arrow and press the controller.
Route guidance by voice
instructions
Switching voice instructions on/off
1.During route guidance, press the controller.
2.Select the symbol and press the control-
ler.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Using the voice command system:
Repeating voice instructions
1.During route guidance, press the controller.
2.Select the symbol and confirm your
selection to repeat the last route instruction
when the voice output is switched on.
It is also possible to request a repetition of
the spoken instructions via the program-
mable buttons on the steering wheel and next
to the controller, refer to page52.<
Adjusting volume
The volume can only be adjusted during a voice
instruction.
1.Repeat the last voice instruction if neces-
sary.
2.Wait until the voice instruction is being
issued, then turn the knob to select the
desired volume.
This volume is independent of the volume
selected for the audio and video sources.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Changing route
Avoiding route sections
From a list, you can select and bypass certain
sections that you do not wish to travel on the
planned route. The route is recalculated.
1.Press the controller.
2.Select "New route" and press the control-
ler.
{Message on} or
{Message off}.

On/off and settings
152
On/off and settings
The following audio and video sources share
the same controls and adjustment options.
>Radio
>CD player
*
>CD changer*
>DVD changer*
The CD changer can play CDs with com-
pressed audio files, such as MP3s.<
Controls
The audio and video sources can be operated
using:
>Buttons on the CD player
>iDrive
>Buttons on steering wheel, refer to page11
Buttons on the CD player
1Entertainment sound output on/off, volume
>Press: switching on/off
When switching on, the most recently
selected radio station or CD track is
selected.
>Turn: adjusting volume
2 button
Selecting radio, CD player, and CD changer
3 button
>Press briefly: selecting AM or FM wave-
band
>Press and hold: Autostore, updating
selection of stations in range4CD slot
5 button
Eject CD
6 button
Station scan/track search
>Select radio station
>Fast forward/reverse
>Change track for CD player,
change chapter for DVD changer
Operating via iDrive
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the button to open the start
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Entertain-
ment".
3.You have the choice of:
>"FM" and "AM": select radio reception.
>"WB": select Weather Band.
>"SAT": select satellite radio.
>"CD" and "CDC": select CD player or
CD changer.
>"AUX": select external audio device
>"DVD": select DVD changer
*.
>"Picture": adjust picture
*.
>"Tone": tone control, e.g. treble and
bass.
You can also control the radio, CD player, CD
changer, external audio devices, and the DVD
changer using the buttons on the steering

Telephone overview
178
Telephone overview
The concept
Your BMW is equipped with a mobile phone
preparation package. After a suitable mobile
phone has been paired with the vehicle once,
you can operate the mobile phone via iDrive, via
the button on the steering wheel, via the phone
keypad and by voice
*.
A mobile phone that has been paired with the
vehicle once is automatically detected again
with the engine running or the ignition switched
on as soon as it is brought inside the vehicle.
The logon data of up to four mobile phones can
be stored simultaneously. If several mobile
phones are detected simultaneously, then the
vehicle can be used to operate the mobile
phone that was most recently paired with it.
Using a phone in your vehicle
Using snap-in adapter*
The so-called snap-in adapter, a cradle for your
mobile phone, is inserted into the center arm-
rest. If the mobile phone is inserted into the
snap-in adapter, the battery is charged and the
mobile phone is connected to the external
antenna of the vehicle whenever the ignition
key is in the radio ready state or higher. This
assures better network reception and uniform
sound quality. Ask your BMW center which
mobile phones snap-in adapters are offered for.
To use the snap-in adapter, refer to page181.
BMW discourages the use of mobile
phones or other mobile communications
devices inside the vehicle without a direct con-
nection to an outside antenna. Otherwise, the
vehicle electronics and mobile communications
device can interfere with each other. In addition,
there is no assurance that the radiation gener-
ated during transmission will be discharged
from the vehicle interior. the vehicle with the keypad of the mobile
phone; otherwise, malfunctions can occur.
The mobile phone can be operated by means
of:
>the button on the steering wheel, refer to
page11
>the retracting telephone keypad, refer to
page179
>iDrive, refer to Initiating communication,
page184
>the voice command system
*, refer to
page23
For information on operating your mobile
phone, please consult the separate operating
instructions.
For your safety
Only make entries when the traffic situa-
tion allows you to do so. Do not hold the
mobile phone in your hand while you are driving;
use the hands-free system instead. If you do
not comply with this precaution, your being dis-
tracted can endanger vehicle occupants and
other road users.<
Suitable mobile phones
Ask your BMW center which mobile phones
with a Bluetooth interface are supported by the
mobile phone preparation package or which
mobile phones snap-in adapters are available
for. These mobile phones support the functions
described in this Owner's Manual with a certain
software version. Malfunctions can occur with
other mobile phones.
*

179
Entertainment
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Hands-free system
The hands-free microphone is located on the
left-hand side on the headliner.
The hands-free system is activated whenever
you establish or receive a call using the follow-
ing:
>the button on the steering wheel, refer to
page11
>the retracting telephone keypad
>iDrive, refer to Initiating communication,
page184
>the voice command system
*, refer to
page23, except for incoming calls
Volume adjustment
You can set the volume for the hands-free sys-
tem and the ring tone separately:
>Turn knob during a call.
>Turn knob during an incoming call.
The volume can also be adjusted using
the buttons on the steering wheel.<
This volume is maintained, even if the other
audio sources are set to minimum volume.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Retracting telephone keypad
The telephone keypad allows you to use all of
the basic mobile phone functions without ever
picking up the handset.
Calls are automatically routed through the
hands-free system.
Sliding out
Press telephone keypad1.
It slides out.
It is not possible to remove the telephone
keypad.<
Controls
2Rejecting call or terminating con-
nection.
3Press briefly: the last digit entered
is deleted.
Press and hold: the entire number
is deleted.
4Accepting call or establishing con-
nection.

Using the phone
184
Using the phone
You have the option of controlling the phone
using various parts of the vehicle equipment:
>the button on the steering wheel, refer to
page11
>the retracting telephone keypad, refer to
page179
>iDrive, refer to Initiating communication
>the voice command system
*, refer to
page23
The phone number appears on the upper status
line, refer to page20.
With the ignition switched off, you can continue
an ongoing call for a maximum of 16 minutes via
the hands-free system.
Requirements
>The logon data of the mobile phone are
stored in the vehicle and the mobile phone
is ready to operate.
>The ignition is switched on.
>The mobile phone is detected by the vehi-
cle.
Initiating communication
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the button to open the start
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Communica-
tion".
Receiving calls
If you have the phone number of the caller
stored in the phone book and the phone num-
ber has been transmitted, the name of the entry
is displayed.
Accepting a call
>Press the button on the steering wheel.
>Press the button on the retracting tele-
phone keypad.
>Select the symbol on the Control Dis-
play and press the controller.
The phone number or name are shown in the
status line.
Rejecting a call
>Press the button on the retracting tele-
phone keypad.
>Select the symbol on the Control Dis-
play and press the controller.
Ending a call
>Press the button on the steering wheel.
>Press the button on the retracting tele-
phone keypad.
>Select the symbol on the Control Dis-
play and press the controller.
Making calls
Dialing a phone number and
establishing a connection
Retracting telephone keypad
1.Enter the phone number.
2.Press the button.

185
Entertainment
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Voice command system*
T h e s ys t e m r ec o g n i z es d i g it s f r o m z e ro t o n i n e .
You can say each digit individually or group
them into a sequence to speed up the entry
process:
After the last spoken sequence of digits has
been repeated by the system, you can delete
this sequence of digits:
With {Delete number} all digits previously
entered are deleted:
Redialing
>Press the button on the steering wheel.
>Press the button on the retracting tele-
phone keypad.
Using the voice command system:
Dialing a number from phone book or
from numbers stored in a list
Phone numbers you have called, missed calls,
and the entries of the phone book of the SIM
card or of the mobile phone are stored in lists
when the mobile phone is connected to the
vehicle via Bluetooth. If the caller is listed in the
phone book, the name of the entry is displayed
instead of the phone number.
The following lists are available:
>"TOP 8":
The eight phone numbers in the phone
book that are called most frequently are
automatically stored in the Top 8 list. The
number called most often appears at the
top of the list.>"Last":
The last eight phone numbers you have
dialed are automatically stored. The last
number dialed is at the top of the list.
>"A-Z":
The entries in the phone book of the SIM
card or of the mobile phone, including name
and phone number, are displayed in alpha-
betical order.
>"Missed":
The phone numbers of the last eight calls
not accepted are stored, provided that the
phone numbers of the callers were trans-
mitted. A missed call is indicated by an
envelope symbol in the top status line.
Dialing phone numbers from phone
book
The list "A-Z" is available for you phone book
entries. The Control Display shows the entries
in the phone book of the SIM card or mobile
phone in alphabetical order.
1.Select "A-Z" and press the controller.
An alphabetical listing of all the entries in
the phone book appears on the right side of
the Control Display.
2.Select the desired entry and press the con-
troller.
3.Select the symbol and press the control-
ler.
The system dials the number. The phone num-
ber is displayed in the top status line.
The connection can also be established
via the button on the steering wheel or the
telephone keypad.< 1.{Dial number}.
2.Say the phone number.
3.{Dial}.
1.{Correction}.
2.Correct the phone number.
1.{Delete Number}.
2.Phone number is deleted.
{Redial}.