2009 BMW 6 SERIES rear view mirror

Lamps
106
Adaptive Head Light*
The concept
Adaptive Head Light is a variable headlamp
control system that enables better illumination
of the road surface. Depending on the steering
angle and other parameters, the light from the
headlamp follows the course of the road.
Activating Adaptive Head Light
With the ignition switched on, turn the light
switch into position 3, refer to page104.
To avoid blinding oncoming traffic, the Adaptive
Head Light is not active when driving in reverse
and points toward the passenger side when the
vehicle is stopped.
High beams/
roadside parking lamps
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Roadside parking lamps
Roadside parking lamps, left or right*
You also enjoy the option of lighting up just one
side of your vehicle when parking.
Switching on
After parking the vehicle, press the lever up or
down beyond the resistance point, arrow 3.
The roadside parking lamps drain the bat-
tery. Do not leave them switched on for
long periods of time, otherwise it may no longer
be possible to start the engine.<
Switching off
Briefly press the lever in the opposite direction
up to the resistance point, arrow3.
High-beam assistant*
The concept
This system automatically switches the high
beams on and off. A sensor on the front side of
the inside rearview mirror controls the process.
The assistant makes sure that the high beams
are switched on whenever traffic conditions
permit. This relieves you of the burden of con-
stantly switching back and forth and simulta-
neously provides you with the best possible vis-
ibility. Naturally, you can intervene at any time to
switch the high beams on and off as usual.
Activating system
1.Turn the light switch to position3, refer to
page104.
2.With the low beams switched on, briefly
press the turn signal lever in the high-beam
direction.
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.

Controls
107Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
>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, horse-drawn 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.
Switching off 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.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-
troller.

Lamps
108 5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the
controller until "Lighting" is selected and
press the controller.
6.Select "High-beam assistant" and press
the controller.
High-beam assistant is switched off.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Fog lamps
First switch on the parking lamps or the low
beams. The green indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up whenever the fog lamps
are on.
The fog lamps are switched off whenever the
high beams are switched on.
If the automatic headlamp control is acti-
vated, the low beams will come on when
you switch on the fog lamps.<
Instrument lighting
You can control the lighting intensity by using
the knurled wheel.
Interior lamps
Control of the interior lamps, footwell lamps,
door entry lighting, courtesy lamps
* and sill
panel lighting
* is automatic.
With the courtesy lamps,
LED lights are pro-
vided in the outside rearview mirrors to illumi-
nate the exterior area around the doors.
To protect the battery, all lamps in the
vehicle are switched off approx. 15 min-
utes after radio readiness is switched off, refer
to Start/Stop button on page60.<
Switching interior lamps on and off
manually
Press button 1.
If the interior lamps, footwell lamps, door entry
lighting, courtesy lamps and sill panel lighting
are to remain switched off continually, press the
button for approx. 3 seconds.

Mobility
227Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Care
Car-care products
Regular cleaning and care make a significant
contribution to retaining your BMW's value.
For the cleaning and care of your vehicle, BMW
recommends using only products that BMW
has approved for this purpose.
Your BMW center will be glad to advise you
about products and services for the cleaning
and care of your BMW.
Genuine BMW Care Products are materi-
als tested, laboratory tested, and tested in
actual use. They offer optimum care and pro-
tection for your vehicle.<
Do not use cleaners that contain alcohol
or solvents; they can damage your vehi-
cle.<
Cleaning agents can contain substances
that are dangerous or pose health risks.
You should therefore heed the warnings and
hazard indications on the packaging. Open the
doors or windows on your vehicle whenever
cleaning the interior. Make sure there is suffi-
cient ventilation in enclosed spaces. Use only
products that are formulated for vehicle clean-
ing.<
Exterior care
Washing your vehicle
In the winter months, it is especially
important to ensure that the vehicle is
washed on a regular basis. Otherwise, signifi-
cant soiling and road salt can cause damage to
the vehicle.<
After washing the vehicle, apply the
brakes briefly to dry them. Failure to do so
may lead to a reduction in braking efficiency and
also to corrosion of the brake rotors.<
Car washes
Give preference to cloth car washes.Do not use high-pressure car washes
because they can cause drops of water to
penetrate in the vicinity of the windshield.<
Before driving into the car wash, make sure that
it is suitable for your BMW. Pay attention to the
following points:
>Dimensions of your vehicle, refer to
page243.
>If necessary, fold in the outside rearview
mirrors, refer to page55.
>Maximum permissible tire width.
>The convertible top must not be treated
with wax. Make sure that a program without
wax or a special convertible program is
available.
Preparations for driving into the car wash:
>Deactivate rain sensor to prevent unwanted
wiper activation.
>Remove additional add-on parts, e.g. spoil-
ers or phone antennas, if they could be
damaged.
Automatic transmission
Before driving into the car wash, make sure the
vehicle is able to roll by making sure to:
1.Insert the remote control into the ignition
lock, even with comfort access.
2.Shift into transmission position N.
3.Release the parking brake.
4.Switch off the engine.
5.Leave the remote control in the ignition lock
so that the vehicle can roll.
Steam cleaners/high-pressure
cleaning jets
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, ensure that you maintain suffi-
cient clearance to the vehicle and do not exceed
a temperature of 606.
Insufficient distance or excessive pressure or
temperature can damage parts of the vehicle or

Everything from A to Z
258
I
IBOC, refer to High Definition
Radio168
Ice on roads, refer to Outside
temperature warning76
ID3 tag, refer to Information on
track176
Identification mark
– recommended tire
brands219
– run-flat tires218
– tire coding216
iDrive16
– assistance window21
– changing date and time84
– changing language86
– changing menu page20
– changing settings84
– changing units of measure
and display type86
– confirming selection or
entry20
– controller16
– controls16
– displays, menus18
– operating principle18
– selecting menu item20
– setting brightness85
– start menu18
– status information21
– symbols19
Ignition60
– switched off61
– switched on60
Ignition key, refer to Keys/
remote control30
Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness60
Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on60
Ignition lock60
– starting engine with comfort
access39
i menu18
Imprint2Indicator/warning lamps
– ABS Antilock Brake
System90
– active steering95
– airbags97
– brake system90
– DSC13,89
– DTC13,90
– Flat Tire Monitor92
– fog lamps13,108
– handbrake13,62
– safety belt warning54
– TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor93
Indicator and warning lamps
– overview13
Indicator lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting108
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure214
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor90
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor92
Info menu18
Information
– on another location142
– on current position142
– on destination location142
"Information" in
navigation142
Information menu, refer to
imenu18
"Information on
destination"144
"Info sources"79
Initializing
– Flat Tire Monitor91
– radio, refer to Storing
stations166
– refer to Power failure233
– seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory51
– time and date84
"Input map"141
Installation location
– CD changer178
– drive for navigation DVD134Instructions for navigation
system, refer to Voice
instructions151
Instrument cluster12
Instrument lighting108
Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit10
Integrated key30
Integrated universal remote
control117
Interesting destination for
navigation142
"Interim time"84
Interior lamps108
– switching on with remote
control33
Interior motion sensor38
– switching off38
Interior rearview mirror,
automatic dimming
feature56
Intermittent mode of the
wipers66
J
Jacking points233
Joystick, refer to iDrive16
Jumpering, refer to Jump
starting236
Jump starting236
K
Keyless-Go, refer to Comfort
access38
Keyless opening and closing,
refer to Comfort access38
Key Memory, refer to Personal
Profile30
"Keypad"196
Keys30
– key-related settings, refer to
Personal Profile30
– spare key30
Kick-down, Sport automatic
transmission63
Knee airbags95
Knock control213

Everything from A to Z
262 Power windows, refer to
Windows40
Preselecting activation times
of the parked car
ventilation115
"Presets" in radio
mode164,172
Pressure, tires214
Pressure monitoring of tires,
refer to TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor92
"Profile"208
Programmable buttons on
steering wheel57
Programmable memory
buttons22
Protective function, refer to
Pinch protection system
– glass sunroof43
– windows42
R
Radio
– autostore166
– controls160
– High Definition Radio168
– sampling stations165
– satellite radio171
– selecting frequency
manually165
– selecting
waveband160,164
– station search165
– station selection164
– station with the best
reception166
– storing stations166
– switching on/off160
– tone control161
– volume161
– weatherband, refer to
Weather news flashes168
Radio key, refer to Keys/
remote control30
Radio position, refer to Radio
readiness60Radio readiness60
– switched off61
– switched on60
– with comfort access39
Radio stations
– storing166
Rain sensor, windshield wiper
system66
"Random", random play
sequence177
"Random all" in audio
mode178
"Random directory" in audio
mode178
"RDS"167
Reading lamps109
Rear lamps, refer to Tail
lamps232
Rearview mirrors, refer to
Mirrors55
Rear window
– heating112
– opening and closing41
"Received calls"194
Reception
– quality167
– radio stations167
– regional stations166
Reception level of mobile
phone, refer to Status
information21
Recirculated-air mode, refer
to AUC Automatic
recirculated-air control113
Recirculation of air, refer to
AUC Automatic
recirculated-air control113
Reclining seat, refer to
Seats49
Recording times, refer to
Stopwatch83
Redialing with mobile
phone199
"Redial" in mobile phone
mode194
Reflectors, refer to Tail
lamps232
Refueling212Releasing
– hood220
Releasing the locks, refer to
Unlocking39
"Relock door if not
opened"35
Remaining distance, refer to
Cruising range77
Remaining distance to
destination, refer to
Computer78
Remote control30
– comfort access38
– garage door opener117
– luggage compartment lid33
– malfunction33,40
– replacing battery40
Removing condensation on
the windows112
"Repeat directory" in audio
mode177
"Repeat" in audio mode177
"Repeat track" in audio
mode177
Replacement fuses234
Replacement of tires
– refer to Changing
wheels233
Replacement remote control,
refer to New remote
controls30
Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs231
Replacing wheels/tires, refer
to New wheels and tires218
Reporting safety defects7
Required fuel213
Reserve
– warning, refer to Fuel
gauge77
"Reset"91,93
Reset, refer to Resetting tone
settings163
"Reset" for stopwatch84
"Reset" tone settings163
Residual heat114
Restraint systems
– for children58
– refer to Safety belts54