2009 BMW 6 SERIES cooling

At a glance
15Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1Coupe: glass sunroof, electric with raise
function
*42
2Coupe: microphone for hands-free mode
for telephone
* and voice command
system
*24
Convertible: microphone on steering col-
umn
3Reading lamps109
4Interior lamps108
5Coupe: initiating SOS emergency
request235
6Indicator lamp
for front passenger
airbags97
7Convertible: initiating SOS emergency
request
*235
8Control Display16
9Hazard warning flashers
10Central locking system34
11Automatic climate control11012Changing
>radio station164
>track175
13Ejecting
>navigation DVD
*134
>audio CD174
14Programmable memory buttons22
15Drive for navigation system DVD with Pro-
fessional
* navigation system134
16Drive for audio CDs174
17Entertainment sound output on/off
and adjusting volume161
19Bracket for cup holder120
20Controller16
Can be turned, pressed, or moved in four
directions
21Opening start menu on Control Display18
22Dynamic Driving Control64
23Selecting AM or FM waveband
24Selecting radio, CD and CD changer Temperature setting, left/
right111
Automatic air distribution and
volume111
Cooling function113
AUC Automatic recirculated-air
control113
Recirculated-air mode113
Maximum cooling113
Residual heat mode114
Switching off automatic climate
control114
Air volume112
Defrosting windows and removing
condensation112
Rear window defroster112
18
Heated seats*55
PDC Park Distance Control
*87
DTC Dynamic Traction Control89
Convertible: opening the convert-
ible top44
Convertible: closing the convertible
top44

Controls
31Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
the vehicle is unlocked, the corresponding
remote control is detected and the settings
stored for it are called up and carried out.
This means that you will always find your BMW
set to your own personal settings even if
another person with his/her own remote control
and settings has used the vehicle since the last
time you drove it. The individual settings are
stored for a maximum of four remote controls,
for two with comfort access
*.
Personal Profile settings
Details on the settings are provided on the
specified pages.
>Behavior of the central locking system
when unlocking vehicle, refer to page32
>Automatic locking of the vehicle, refer to
page34
>Programming buttons on steering wheel,
refer to page57
>Displays on Control Display:
>12h/24h clock mode, refer to page85
>Date format, refer to page85
>Brightness of the Control Display, refer
to page85
>Units of measure for consumption,
route/distances, temperature and pres-
sure, refer to page86
>Language on the Control Display, refer
to page86
>Lighting settings:
>Triple turn signal activation, refer to
page66
>Welcome lamps, refer to page104
>Pathway lighting, refer to page105
>Daytime running lamps
*, refer to
page105
>High-beam assistant
*, refer to page106
>PDC Park Distance Control
*: optical warn-
ing, refer to page87
>Head-Up Display
*: selection and bright-
ness of display, refer to page98>BMW Night Vision
*: display settings, refer
to page102
>Automatic climate control: for AUTO pro-
gram and intensity, cooling function, and
automatic recirculated air control/recircu-
lated air mode, temperature, air distribution,
temperature in the upper body region, refer
to page111
>Navigation system
*: voice instructions for
destination guidance, refer to page151
In addition, the following, most recently
selected settings are recalled during unlocking:
>Programmable memory buttons: selecting
stored functions, refer to page22
>Driver's seat, exterior-mirror and steering-
wheel position, refer to page51
>Audio sources: volume and tone settings,
refer to page161
>Radio: display of stored stations, refer to
page164
>Phone: adjusting volume, refer to page192
Central locking system
The concept
The central locking system functions when the
driver's door is closed.
The system simultaneously engages and
releases the locks on the following:
>Doors
>Compartment in the front center console
>Luggage compartment lid
>Fuel filler door
Operating from outside
>Via the remote control
>Using door lock
>With comfort access
* via the door handles
These actions operate the anti-theft system
* at
the same time. It prevents the doors from being
unlocked using the lock buttons or door han-
dles. The interior lamps and the courtesy
lamps
* are also switched on and off with the

Climate
110
Climate
Automatic climate control
1Air directed toward the windshield and side
windows
2Air for the upper body area, refer to Ventila-
tion on page114
3Air to footwell
4Temperature, left side of passenger com-
partment
5Manual air distribution, driver's side
6Defrosting windows and removing conden-
sation
7Manual air volume, switching off automatic
climate control, residual heat utilization8AUTO program
9Switching cooling function on and off man-
ually
10Temperature, right side of passenger com-
partment
11Manual air distribution, front passenger side
12Maximum cooling
13AUC Automatic recirculated-air control/
recirculated-air mode
14LED for residual heat utilization and parked-
car ventilation system
15Rear window defroster

Controls
111Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
16Air grill for interior temperature sensor –
please keep clear and unobstructed
The current setting for air distribution is dis-
played on the Control Display.
A congenial climate
The AUTO program offers the optimum air dis-
tribution and air volume for virtually all condi-
tions, refer to AUTO program below. Now you
only need to select an interior temperature
pleasant to you.
The following sections contain more detailed
information on the available setting options.
Most settings are stored for the remote control
currently in use, also refer to Personal Profile
settings on page31.
AUTO program
The AUTO program handles the
adjustment of air volume and air
distribution to the windshield and
side windows, in the direction of
the upper body and in the footwell.
It also adapts your instructions for the tempera-
ture to outside influences throughout the year.
The cooling function is switched on along with
the AUTO program. At the same time, a con-
densation sensor controls the program in such
a way that window condensation is prevented
as much as possible.
Intensity of AUTO program
You can adjust the intensity of the AUTO pro-
gram by repeatedly pressing the AUTO button.
The respective current setting is briefly dis-
played on the Control Display when the button
is pressed.
You can also adjust the intensity of the AUTO
program via iDrive.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller to the left to open "Cli-
mate".3.Select "Automatic programs" and press the
controller.
4.Select the desired intensity and press the
controller.
The marked intensity of the automatic
program is switched on.
Convertible program*
When the convertible top is opened, the con-
vertible program can also be selected. In the
convertible program, the automatic climate
control is optimized for driving with the convert-
ible top open. In addition, the air volume is
increased as the speed increases.
If the convertible program has been selected,
it is automatically active every time the top is
opened.
The effect of the convertible program can
be greatly enhanced if the wind deflector
is installed.<
Temperature
Set the desired temperature indi-
vidually on the driver's and front
passenger side.
The automatic climate control
achieves this temperature as quickly as possi-
ble at any time of year, if necessary with the
maximum cooling or heating capacity, and then
keeps it constant.
When changing between different tem-
perature settings in rapid succession, the
automatic climate control does not have suffi-
cient time to adjust the set temperature.<

Climate
112 In the highest setting you activate the maximum
heating output, regardless of the outside tem-
perature.
Adjusting temperature in upper body
region
1.Press the button to display the current set-
ting on the Control Display.
2.Select the field by moving the controller and
turning the controller to adjust the temper-
ature.
You can also adjust the temperature in the
upper body region with iDrive.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Open "Climate".
3.Select "Vent settings" and press the con-
troller.
4.Select the field by moving the controller and
turning the controller to adjust the temper-
ature.
Defrosting windows and removing
condensation
Quickly remove ice and condensa-
tion from the windshield and front
side windows.
To do this, also switch on the cooling function.
Rear window defroster
The rear window defroster
switches off after a while.
Convertible: the rear window
defroster is only activated when the rear win-
dow is closed.
Depending on the vehicle equipment, upper
wires are used as an antenna and are not part of
the rear window defroster.
Air volume, manual
You can adjust the air volume by
turning. You can reactivate the
automatic mode for the air volume
with the AUTO button.
The air quantity is reduced and if need be, the
ventilation is switched off in order to reduce the
load on the battery. The display stays the same.
Air distribution, manual
You can route the air flowing out into the vehicle
interior via various programs, separately for the
driver's and passenger's side:
>Upper body region
>Upper body region and footwell
>Footwell
>Driver's side: windows and footwell
>Individual program
Selecting program
Press the button repeatedly until
the desired air distribution of the
respective program is shown on
the Control Display.
Adjusting air distribution individually –
individual program
Your settings are stored in this program.

Controls
113Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Open "Climate".
3.Select "Vent settings" and press the con-
troller.
The driver's and front passenger side can
be adjusted separately with the fields on the
right or left side.
4.Select the driver's or front passenger side
if necessary.
Move the controller to the right or left
repeatedly until the driver's or front passen-
ger side is selected.
5.Select the desired field by moving the con-
troller.
6.Turn the controller to adjust the air distribu-
tion.
Driver's side:
1Air directed toward the windshield and side
windows
2Air for the upper body
3Air to footwell
Front passenger side:
4Air for the upper body
5Air to footwell
Pressing the AUTO button cancels the
manual air distribution settings.<
The automatic mode for the air volume remains
effective with manual air distribution.
Switching cooling function on and off
The cooling function cools and
dehumidifies the incoming air
before also reheating it as
required, according to the temperature setting. This function is only available when the engine
is running.
The cooling function helps to avoid condensa-
tion on the window surfaces or to quickly
remove them.
Depending on the weather, the windshield may
fog over briefly when the engine is started.
The cooling function is also switched on with
the AUTO program.
Maximum cooling
Maximally cooled air is obtained as
quickly as possible at an outside
temperature above approx. 327/
06 and with the engine running.
At the lowest temperature, the automatic cli-
mate control switches into recirculating air
mode. The maximum air volume flows out of the
vents for the upper body. Therefore, open these
vents for maximum cooling.
AUC Automatic recirculated-air
control/recirculated-air mode
You can respond to pollutants or
unpleasant odors in the immediate
environment by suspending the
supply of outside air. The system then recircu-
lates the air currently within the vehicle. During
AUC operation, a sensor detects pollutants in
the outside air and controls the shut-off auto-
matically.
By pressing the button repeatedly, you can
request three operating modes:
>LED off: outside air flows in continuously.
>Right LED on, AUC mode: the system
detects pollutants in the outside air and
shuts off the supply as needed.
>Left LED on, recirculated-air mode: the
supply of outside air is permanently shut off.
Should the windows fog up in the recircu-
lated-air mode, press the AUTO button or
switch off the recirculated-air mode and
increase the air volume if necessary.
The recirculated-air mode should not be used
over an extended period of time, as the air qual-

Climate
114 ity inside the vehicle deteriorates continu-
ously.<
Residual heat
The heat stored in the engine is
used to heat the passenger com-
partment, e.g. while stopped at a
school to pick up a child.
1.Switch off the engine.
2.Turn to the right, refer to arrow.
The function can be switched on when the fol-
lowing conditions are met:
>up to 15 minutes after switching off the
engine
>with engine at operating temperature
>with sufficient battery voltage
>at an outside temperature below 777/
256
From radio readiness the interior temperature,
the air volume and the air distribution can be
set.
Switching automatic climate control on
and off
1.Turn to the left to minimum air volume.
2.After approx. 1 second, turn to the left
again.
Y o u s w i t c h o n t h e s y s t e m a g a i n b y p r e s s i n g a n y
button of the automatic climate control.
Ventilation
1Knurled wheels to smoothly open and close
vent outlets
2Levers to change the vent outlet direction
Do not drop any foreign objects into the
vent outlets; otherwise, they could be cat-
apulted outwards and cause injuries.<
Ventilation for cooling
Adjust the vent outlets to direct the flow of cool
air in your direction, for instance, if the interior
has become too warm, etc.
Draft-free ventilation
Set the vent outlets so that the air flows past
you and is not directed straight at you.
Microfilter/activated-charcoal filter
The microfilter removes dust and pollen from
the incoming air. The activated-charcoal filter
provides additional protection by filtering gas-
eous pollutants from the outside air. Your BMW
center replaces this combined filter as a stan-
dard part of your scheduled maintenance.
You can have more detailed information shown
on the Control Display, refer to page79.
Parked car ventilation
The concept
The parked car ventilation blows air into the
passenger compartment to lower interior tem-
peratures.
It is ready to use in the parked car mode at any
outside temperature.

Driving tips
127Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Thinking ahead when driving
Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking.
To do so, maintain the appropriate distance
from the vehicle in front of you. An anticipatory
and smooth driving style reduces fuel con-
sumption.
Avoiding high engine speeds
Use 1st gear only for starting off. Accelerate
rapidly in 2nd gear and above. Avoid high
engine speeds in doing so and shift into the
next gear early.
When you have reached the desired speed,
shift into the highest possible gear and drive
with the lowest possible engine speed while
maintaining a constant a vehicle speed.
In general: driving at a low engine speed
reduces fuel consumption and minimizes wear.
Taking advantage of coasting
When approaching a red light, let off the gas
and allow the vehicle to coast to a stop in the
highest possible gear.
On steep roadways, let off the gas and allow the
vehicle to roll in the appropriate gear.
The flow of fuel is interrupted when coasting.
Switching off the engine during longer
stops
Switch off the engine at longer stops such as
traffic signals, railroad crossings, or in traffic
jams. Even having the engine switched off for
approx. 4 seconds results in fuel savings.
Switching off functions currently not
required
Functions such as the cooling function of the
automatic climate control, seat heating or rear
window defroster draw large amounts of power
and consume additional fuel. Their influence is
particularly pronounced in city traffic and stop &
go operation. For this reason, it is a good idea to
switch these functions off when they are not
really needed.
Having maintenance carried out
Have the vehicle serviced regularly in order to
achieve the optimum economy and service life
of your vehicle. BMW recommends having the
maintenance performed by a BMW center. Also
please pay attention to the BMW maintenance
system, refer to page225.
General driving notes
Closing luggage compartment lid
Only drive with the luggage compartment
lid completely closed, otherwise exhaust
can penetrate into the passenger compart-
ment.<
If it is absolutely necessary to drive with the lug-
gage compartment lid open:
1.Coupe: close both windows and the glass
sunroof.
Convertible: with closed top, close all win-
dows.
2.Increase the air volume of the automatic cli-
mate control to a high level, refer to
page112.
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles, extremely high temper-
atures are generated on the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed
adjacent to it, and never apply undercoating to
them. When driving, standing at idle and while
parking take care to avoid possible contact
between the hot exhaust system and any highly
flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass,
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, and with it
the risk of serious property damage as well as
personal injury. Do not touch hot exhaust tail
pipes. Otherwise there is a risk of burns.<
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 the tires and