2011 BMW 7 SERIES instrument cluster

Automatic headlamp con‐
trol*  85
Daytime running lights*  85
Adaptive light control
*  85
High-beam Assistant*  86 Instrument lighting  87
8 Steering column stalk, left Turn signal  70
High beams, head‐
lamp flasher  70
High-beam Assistant*  86
Roadside parking lamps  85
Computer  77
9 Steering wheel buttons, left Store speed  112,  106
Resume speed  113,  107
Cruise control on/off, inter‐
rupt  112,  105 Increase distance*  107
Decrease distance*  107
10 Instrument cluster   14
11 Steering wheel buttons, right Entertainment source
Volume
Voice activation*  25
Telephone*  212
12 Steering column stalk, right Windshield wipers  70
Rain sensor*  
71 Clean the windshields and head‐
lamps*  70
13 Start/stop the engine and switch
the ignition on/off  65
14 Horn
15 Steering wheel heating*  60
16 Adjust steering wheel  
60
17 Open trunk lid*  
40
18 Unlocking the hood
Seite 13
13Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 497 - 03 11 490

Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls
At a glance

Instrument cluster
1
Fuel gauge  75
2 Speedometer
3 Indicator/warning lamps  14
4 Tachometer  76
5 Engine oil temperature   766
External temperature  76
7 Electronic displays  16
8 Miles, trip miles  77
9 Clock  80
10 Reset miles  77
Indicator/warning lamps
Instrument cluster The indicator and warning lamps can light up in
a variety of combinations and colors.
Several of the lamps are checked for proper
functioning
when the engine is started or the ig‐
nition is switched on, and light up briefly in the
process. Overview: indicator/warning lamps Symbol Function or system
Turn signal
Parking brake
Parking brake in Canadian models
Automatic Hold*
Front fog lamps* Seite 14
14 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 497 - 03 11 490
Cockpit

Symbol Function or system
High beams
High-beam Assistant*
Parking lamps, headlamp control
Active Cruise Control*
Vehicle detection, Active Cruise
Control*
Cruise control*
Lane departure warning*
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC Dynamic Stability Control or
DTC Dynamic Traction Control
Tire Pressure Monitor*
Safety belts
Airbag system Symbol Function or system
Steering system
Emissions
Brake system
Brake system in Canadian models
Antilock Brake System ABS
Antilock Brake System ABS in Cana‐
dian models
Text messages
Text
messages in combination with a symbol in
the instrument cluster explain a Check Control
message and the meaning of the indicator and
warning lamps.
Supplementary text messages
Additional information on the Control Display,
e.g., on the cause of a malfunction or the re‐
quired action, can be called up via Check Con‐
trol, refer to page 82.
The text of urgent messages is displayed auto‐
matically.
Seite 15
15Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 497 - 03 11 490

Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls
At a glance

Instrument cluster, electronic displays
1
Symbols and messages, e.g., warnings   14
2 Range  75
3 Computer  77
4 Navigation display*  152
Service display  81 5
Selection list, e.g., radio  77
6 Transmission displays  74
Seite 16
16 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 497 - 03 11 490Cockpit

Voice activation system*
The concept
▷
The voice activation system can be used to
operate
functions by means of spoken com‐
mands.
▷ Most menu items on the Control Display can
be voiced as commands. The system
prompts you to make your entries.
▷ Functions that can only be used when the
vehicle

is stationary cannot be operated us‐
ing the voice activation system.
▷ The system uses a special microphone on
the driver's side.
▷ ›...‹ Verbal instructions in the Owner's
Manual

to use with the voice activation sys‐
tem.
Requirements
Via the Control Display, set a language that is
also supported by the voice activation system
so

that the spoken commands can be identified.
Set the language, refer to page 81.
Using voice activation
Activating the voice activation system
1. Press the button on the steering
wheel.
2. Wait for the signal.
3. Say the command.
The

command is displayed in the instrument
cluster. This symbol in the instrument cluster indi‐
cates that the voice activation system is active.
If no other commands are available, continue
operating the function via iDrive. Terminating the voice activation
system
Briefly press the button on the steering wheel
or ›Cancel‹.
Possible commands
Having possible commands read aloud
The commands available in each case depend
on the menu item selected on the Control Dis‐
play.
To have the available commands read out
loud: ›Voice commands‹
For

example, if the "Settings" menu is displayed,
the commands for the settings are read out loud.
Help dialog for the voice activation
system
Calling up help dialog: ›Help‹
Additional commands for the help dialog:
▷ ›Help with examples‹: information about the
current operating options and the most im‐
portant

commands for them are announced.
▷ ›Help with voice activation‹: information
about

the principle of operation for the voice
activation system is announced.
Executing functions using short
commands
Functions on the main menu can be performed
directly

by means of short commands, irrespec‐
tive of which menu item is currently selected,
e.g., ›Vehicle status‹.
List of short commands of the voice activation
system, refer to page 280.
Seite 25
25Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 497 - 03 11 490

Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls
At a glance

Driving
Start/Stop button
The concept
Pressing the Start/Stop button
switches
the ignition on or off and
starts the engine.
The engine starts if the brake
pedal is pressed when you press
the Start/Stop button.
Ignition on
Press the Start/Stop button, and do not press on
the brake pedal at the same time.
All vehicle systems are ready for operation.
Most of the indicator and warning lamps in the
instrument cluster light up for varying lengths of
time.
To save battery power when the engine is off,
switch off the ignition and any unnecessary
electronic systems/power consumers.
The ignition switches off automatically:
▷ When the vehicle is locked, if the low beams
are switched on.
▷ Shortly before the battery is discharged
completely, so that the engine can still be
started.
▷ If the engine is switched off and the ignition
is switched on, the system automatically
switches to the radio ready state when the
door is opened if the lights are switched off
or the daytime running lights are switched
on.
Ignition off
Press the Start/Stop button again, and do not
press on the brake pedal at the same time.
All indicator lamps in the instrument cluster go
out.
To save battery power when the engine is off,
switch off the ignition and any unnecessary
electronic systems/power consumers. Transmission position P with the ignition
off
When the ignition is switched off, position P is
engaged automatically. When in an automatic
car
wash, for example, ensure that the ignition is
not switched off accidentally.◀
When the vehicle is locked using the central
locking system, the ignition switches off auto‐
matically.
Radio ready state
Activate radio ready state:
▷ When the ignition is switched off: press ON/
OFF button on the radio.
▷ When the engine is running: press START/
STOP button.
Some electronic systems/power consumers re‐
main ready for operation.
Radio ready state switches off automatically:
▷ After approx. 8 minutes.
▷ When the vehicle is locked using the central
locking system.
Starting the engine
General information Enclosed areas
Do not let the engine run in enclosed
areas; otherwise, breathing of exhaust fumes
may lead to loss of consciousness and death.
The

exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, an
odorless and colorless but highly toxic gas.◀
Unattended vehicle
Do not leave the car unattended with the
engine running; otherwise, it presents a poten‐
tial source of danger. Seite 65
65Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 497 - 03 11 490

Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance

4.
Place the release tool on the release point,
arrow. 5.
Forcefully pull the release tool up against the
resistance until you notice a marked in‐
crease in the resistance and the parking
brake releases audibly. Have the malfunction corrected
If the parking brake has been released
manually in response to a malfunction, only
technicians can return it to operation.
Have
the malfunction corrected by your service
center.◀
After a power failure
Only put the parking brake into operation
after a power failure
The parking brake should only be put into oper‐
ation again if it was manually released due to an
interruption in the supply of electrical power.
Otherwise, it cannot be ensured that the parking
brake will function properly.◀
Putting the parking brake into
operation
1. Switch on the ignition. 2. Press the switch while the brake is de‐
pressed or transmission position P is en‐
gaged.
It may take several seconds for the brake to be
put into operation. Any sounds associated with
this are normal. The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out as soon as the parking
brake is ready for operation.
Lower lamp: indicator lamp in Canadian
models.
Automatic Hold
The concept
This system assists the driver by automatically
setting and releasing the brake, such as when
moving in stop-and-go traffic.
The vehicle is automatically held in place when
it is stationary.
On inclines, the system prevents the vehicle
from rolling backward when driving away. For your safety
Under

the following conditions, Automatic Hold
is automatically deactivated and the parking
brake is set:
▷ The engine is switched off.
▷ A door is opened and driver's safety belt is
unbuckled.
▷ The moving vehicle is brought to a standstill
using the parking brake. Seite 68
68 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 497 - 03 11 490
Driving

Sport program and manual mode M/S
Activating the sport program
Push the selector lever to the left out of trans‐
mission position D.
DS is displayed in the instrument cluster.
This position is recommended for a perform‐
ance-oriented driving style.
Activating the M/S manual mode
Push the selector lever to the left out of trans‐
mission position D.
Push the selector lever forward or backward.
Manual mode becomes active and the gear is
changed.
The
engaged gear is displayed in the instrument
cluster, e.g., M1.
▷ To shift down: press the selector lever for‐
ward.
▷ To shift up: press the selector lever back‐
ward.
The transmission only shifts up or down if the
rpm and vehicle speed are appropriate. If the
engine

speed is too high, the transmission does
not shift down.
The selected gear is briefly displayed in the in‐
strument cluster, followed by the current gear.
Ending the sport program/manual
mode
Push the selector lever to the right.
D is displayed in the instrument cluster. Displays in the instrument cluster
The transmission position is dis‐
played, for instance, P. Seite 74
74 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 497 - 03 11 490
Driving