2008 BMW M5 SEDAN instrument cluster

Controls
71Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
7.Select "State inspection" and press the
controller.
8.Select "Set service date" and press the
controller. The month is selected.
9.Turn the controller to make the adjustment.
10.Press the controller to apply the setting.
The year is selected.
11.Turn the controller to make the adjustment.
12.Press the controller to apply the setting.
The date entry is stored.
To exit the menu:
Select the arrow and press the controller.
Check Control
The concept
The Check Control monitors functions in the
vehicle and issues a message if there is a mal-
function in the monitored systems. This kind of
Check Control message consists of indicator
and warning lamps in the instrument cluster,
and if necessary an acoustic signal and text
messages at the bottom of the Control Display.
Indicator and warning lamps
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in
different combinations and colors.
means that a Check Control message has
been generated. The symbol continues to be
visible even when the Check Control message
disappears after a short time. The warning
lamps and text messages are stored and can be
displayed later, also refer to page72.
Explanatory text messages
Text message at the bottom edge of the Con-
trol Display explain the meaning of the dis-
played indicator and warning lamps.

Controls
81Reference
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Mobility
You can also activate and deactivate the
M Dynamic Mode with the MDM button.
Deactivating MDM again
Press the button on the steering wheel or the
MDM button
* again; the MDM indicator lamp
goes out.
Deactivating DSC
To maintain vehicle stability, drive with
the system activated whenever possi-
ble.<
When rocking free or starting off from deep
snow or on loose road surfaces, it can be useful
to briefly deactivate DSC.
Press the DSC OFF button
*; the DSC indicator
lamp lights up continuously. DSC and MDM are
deactivated.
A message appears on the Control Display.
Please note any supplementary information
that appears there.
Manual transmission
*:
Press and hold the MDM button.
Under unfavorable traction conditions, the
engine output may be briefly reduced even
when DSC is deactivated.
Reactivating DSC
Press the DSC OFF button; the indicator lamp
in the instrument cluster goes out.
You can also activate and deactivate DSC with
the button on the steering wheel, refer to
MDrive on page50.
Manual transmission
*:
Press the MDM button.
Malfunction in driving-stability control
systems
The warning lamp for the brake system
lights up, together with the indicator
lamps for ABS, DSC and Tire Pressure
Monitor or Flat Tire Monitor. A mes-
sage appears on the Control Display.
The driving-stability control systems
have failed. Conventional braking effi-
ciency remains available without limita-
tions. While you may continue, you
should remember to proceed cau-
tiously and drive defensively while avoiding full
brake applications. The Tire Pressure Monitor
or the Flat Tire Monitor is also malfunctioning.
Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Display of the previously described
malfunction in Canadian models.
The DSC warning lamp lights up.
A malfunction has occurred in DSC
including MDM. The stability mainte-
nance functions are no longer available. The
vehicle remains operational. Have the system
checked as soon as possible.
The brake system warning lamp lights
up yellow. A message appears on the
Control Display. The brake assistant is
defective. Have the system checked as soon as
possible.

Controls
83Reference
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Mobility
Manual transmission:
Press the EDC button repeatedly:
>"Comfort": LED off.
>"Normal": one LED lights up.
>"Sport": both LEDs light up.
The last selected program is active each time
the engine is started.
You can also activate your preferred program
with the button on the steering wheel, refer
to MDrive on page50.
FTM Flat Tire Monitor*
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor detects a pressure loss in
one tire by comparing the speeds of the individ-
ual wheels during driving.
In the event of a pressure loss, there is a change
in the rolling circumference and therefore the
rotation speed of the corresponding wheel. The
system detects this change and reports it as a
flat tire.
Functional requirement
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat
tire, the system must be initialized for the cor-
rect tire inflation pressure.
The initialization must be repeated after
each time the tire inflation pressure is cor-
rected and after every tire or wheel change.<
System limits
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot indicate sudden
severe tire damage caused by outside factors
and does not detect a natural, even pressure
drop in all four tires.
In the following situations, the system could be
delayed or malfunction:
>System has not been initialized
>Driving on snowy or slippery road surface
>Sporty driving style: slip in the drive wheels,
high lateral acceleration
>Driving with snow chains
*
Initializing system
The initialization finishes during driving,
which can be interrupted at any time.
When driving resumes, the initialization is con-
tinued automatically. Do not initialize the sys-
tem when driving with snow chains.<
With Sequential Manual Transmission via the
button in the center console:
1.Start the engine, but do not start driving.
2.Press the button for approx. 5 seconds.
After the button is released, the warning
lamp lights up in yellow for several sec-
onds in the instrument cluster, refer to
Indication of a flat tire. The message "Initial-
izing FTM ..." appears on the Control Dis-
play for a few seconds.
3.Start to drive.
The initialization finishes during driving
without feedback.

Controls
95Reference
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Mobility
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.
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.

Under the hood
208
Engine oil
The engine oil consumption is dependent on
driving style and driving conditions.
Checking engine oil level
Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic oil
level check.
The oil level can be displayed when the engine
is at operating temperature. Constant short-
distance driving or a very sporty driving style
can make it impossible for a measurement to be
taken.
Displays in instrument cluster
You can display the current oil level in the
instrument cluster.
1Oil level
2Maximum marking
3Minimum marking
4BC button
Press the button4 in the turn signal lever
repeatedly until the display for the oil level
appears in the instrument cluster.
Manual transmission: the engine oil level
will be shown in the lower display.<
The oil level must be between the two marks.
A new measurement is automatically taken
after each engine start.
Possible displays
1Oil level OK
2Oil level is being determined.
This process takes about 1 minute when
stopped on a level surface.
If the engine oil has been topped off, the
measurement of the oil level can take up to
30 minutes.
3Oil level at minimum:
Add a maximum of 1 US quart/1 liter of
engine oil at the next opportunity, refer to
Adding engine oil below Add at least
0.5 US quart/0.5 liter. Otherwise the oil
level control may not display the new value
correctly.
If the oil level displayed is below minimum,
add engine oil immediately. Failure to do so
may lead to engine damage.
4Oil level too high
Have the vehicle checked immedi-
ately, otherwise engine damage may
result if too much oil has been added.<
5No value can be determined at this time.
Engine is not yet at operating temperature.

Mobility
209Reference
At a glance
Controls
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Fast measurement
In addition to the automatic measurement, you
can also determine the current oil level manu-
ally, e.g. after adding engine oil, but with a lower
degree of measuring accuracy.
1.With the engine at operating temperature,
i.e. after at least 6 miles/10 km of uninter-
rupted driving, park the vehicle in a horizon-
tal position.
2.Allow the engine to run at idle.
3.Press the BC button on the turn signal lever
repeatedly until the oil level display is
shown in the instrument cluster.
4.Press the BC button for at least 2 seconds.
The oil level is determined. A clock symbol
is displayed during the measurement.
5.After approx. 1 minute the current oil level is
displayed.
Displaying 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.
3.Turn the controller until "Info sources" is
selected and press the controller.
4.Turn the controller until "Service Info" is
selected and press the controller.5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the
controller until "Service requirements" is
selected and press the controller.
6.Change to the second field from the top if
necessary. Turn the controller until "Engine
oil level" is selected and press the control-
ler. The oil level is displayed.
Possible messages
>"Engine oil level O.K."
>"No measurement available: Updating
engine oil level measurement...":
Engine oil level is being measured. This
process can take approx. 1 minute when
stopped on a level surface with the engine
running and approx. 5 minutes while driv-
ing.
If the engine oil has been topped off, the
measurement of the oil level can take up to
30 minutes.
>"Oil level at the minimum! Refill with 1 quart
of engine oil.":
Add a maximum of 1 US quart/1 liter of
engine oil at the next opportunity, refer to
Adding engine oil below. Add at least
0.5 US quart/0.5 liter. Otherwise the oil
level control may not display the new value
correctly.
If the oil level displayed is below minimum,
add engine oil immediately. Failure to do so
may lead to engine damage.
>"Engine oil level too high"
*:
Have the vehicle checked immedi-
ately, otherwise engine damage may
result if too much oil has been added.<
>"Please observe recalculated service inter-
val for engine oil":

Everything from A to Z
242 "Current position"143
Current position
– displaying143
– entering132
– storing132
"Customer
Relations"184,192
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data230
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit10
Data, technical230
– dimensions231
– engine230
– weights232
"Date"76
Date
– date format76
– setting76
"Date format"76
"Daytime running lamps"93
Daytime running lamps93
DBC Dynamic Brake Control,
warning lamp81
"Deactivated"44
Decommissioning the vehicle,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Defect
– door lock32
– fuel filler door198
– glass sunroof40
– luggage compartment lid34
Defrosting windows99
Defrosting windows and
removing condensation99
Defrosting windshield, refer to
Defrosting windows99
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows99
"Delete address book" for
navigation system133
"Delete all numbers" for
mobile phone183"Delete data" for navigation
system133
"Delete" for mobile
phone183
Destination address
– deleting133
– entering124,127
Destination for navigation
– destination list130
– entering via voice127
– entry124
– selecting from address
book132
– selecting using
information129
– storing131
Destination guidance136
– bypassing route
sections140
– canceling voice
instructions50
– changing specified
route134
– displaying route137
– distance and arrival136
– interrupting136
– starting136
– terminating/continuing136
– voice instructions139
– volume of voice
instructions140
Destination list for
navigation130
Destinations recently driven
to130
"Details" in audio
mode164,170
"Dial" for mobile phone181
"Dial number"181
Digital clock67
Digital radio, refer to High
Definition Radio156
Dimensions231
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals62
Direction instructions, refer to
Voice instructions139Directory, refer to Phone
book182
Directory for navigation, refer
to Address book131
Direct selection buttons21
Displacement, refer to Engine
data230
"Display"76
Display, refer to iDrive
controls16
Display elements, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Displaying vehicle data195
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting96
"Display off"21
Displays
– on Control Display, refer to
iDrive16
– refer to Instrument
cluster12
"Display settings"76,89
Displays on the windshield,
refer to Head-Up Display89
Disposal
– battery of remote control
with comfort access37
– coolant211
– vehicle battery222
Distance, refer to
Computer68
"Distance to dest."68
Distance to destination, refer
to Computer68
Distance warning, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control78
Divided rear backrest, refer to
Through-loading
system110
Door entry lighting96
Door key, refer to Keys/
remote control28
Door lock32
Door locking, confirmation
signals31
"Door locks"30

Everything from A to Z
244 Event Data Recorders213
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system114
Exterior mirrors48
– adjusting48
– automatic dimming
feature49
– automatic heating48
– folding in and out48
– tilting down passenger-side
exterior mirror48
External audio device107
Eye for tow-starting and
towing, refer to Tow
fitting225
F
"Fader", refer to Tone
control150
Fader, refer to Tone
control150
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control71
False alarm
– refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms36
– refer to Switching off
alarm35
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts45
– warning lamp46
Fastest route for
navigation134
"Fast route" for
navigation134
"Favorites", calling up with
radio156
Filler neck for washer fluid64
Filling bottle, refer to
M Mobility System217
Filling sealant into wheel218
Filter, refer to Microfilter/
activated-charcoal filter101
Fine wood, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit224First-aid kit224
Flashing
– during locking/unlocking,
refer to Setting confirmation
signals31
– triple turn signal
activation63
Flashlight, refer to
Rechargeable flashlight106
Flat tire
– changing wheels219
– Flat Tire Monitor83,84
– M Mobility System84,217
– refer to Tire condition202
– spare wheel220
– TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor84
– warning lamp84,86
Flat Tire Monitor83
– false alarms83
– initializing system83
– snow chains204
– system limits83
– warning lamp84
Floor mat, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Floor mats/carpets, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Fluid reservoir, refer to Filler
neck for washer fluid64
"FM", reception
range
149,152
FM, waveband152
Folding rear backrest110
Fold-over rear backrest110
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely115
Footwell lamps, refer to
Interior lamps96
Forward, fast
– CD changer166
– CD player166
For your own safety5
Freeway, refer to Route
criteria134
Front airbags87Front armrest, refer to Center
armrest, front106
Front passenger airbags,
deactivating88
Front seat adjustment42
"FTM"84
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor83
Fuel199
– average consumption68
– display67
– high-quality brands199
– quality199
– specifications199
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities232
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge67
Fuel consumption display,
refer to Computer, average
fuel consumption68
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge67
Fuel filler door198
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction198
Full mobile phone preparation
package174
Full screen display, refer to
Switching assistance
window off21
Fuses222
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control104
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel199
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge67
Gear changes61
Gear display, refer to Displays
in instrument cluster61
Gearshift lever60
– manual transmission58