2012 BMW 7 SERIES service

Notes
Using this Owner's Manual
The fastest way to find information on a partic‐
ular topic is by using the index.
An initial overview of the vehicle is provided in
the first chapter.
Updates made after the editorial
deadline
Any
updates made after the editorial deadline for
the Owner's Manuals are located in the appen‐
dix of the printed quick reference for the vehicle.
Additional sources of information
Should you have any questions, your service
center will be glad to advise you at any time.
Information on BMW, e.g., on technology, is
available on the Internet: bmwusa.com.
Symbols Indicates precautions that must be followed
precisely
in order to avoid the possibility of per‐
sonal injury and serious damage to the vehicle.
◄ Marks the end of a specific item of informa‐
tion.
* Indicates special equipment, country-specific
equipment and optional accessories, as well as
equipment and functions not yet available at the
time of printing.
"..." Identifies Control Display texts used to se‐
lect individual functions.
›...‹ Verbal instructions to use with the voice ac‐
tivation system.
››...‹‹ Identifies the answers generated by the
voice activation system. Refers to measures that can be taken to help
protect the environment. Symbols on vehicle components Indicates that you should consult the rele‐
vant section of this Owner's Manual for infor‐
mation on a particular part or assembly.
Your individual vehicle
You

have decided in favor of a vehicle with indi‐
vidualized equipment and features.
This Owner's Manual describes the entire array
of options and equipment available for a specific
model.
As a result, the manual may contain accessories
and equipment that you may not have specified
for your own vehicle.
All options and special equipment are marked
with an asterisk *.
For options and equipment not described in this
Owner's Manual, please refer to the Supple‐
mentary Owner's Manuals.
On right-hand drive vehicles, some controls are
arranged differently than shown in the illustra‐
tions.
Status of the Owner's Manual
The manufacturer of your vehicle pursues a pol‐
icy of constant development that is conceived
to ensure that our vehicles continue to embody
the highest quality and safety standards. In rare
cases, therefore, the features described in this
Owner's Manual may differ from those in your
vehicle.
Updates made after the editorial
deadline
Any updates made after the editorial deadline for
the Owner's Manuals are located in the appen‐
dix of the printed quick reference for the vehicle.
Seite 6
6 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 497 - 03 11 490Notes

For your own safety
Maintenance and repairs
Advanced technology, e.g., the use of modern
materials
and high-performance electronics, re‐
quires suitable maintenance and repair meth‐
ods.
Therefore, have this work performed only by a
BMW center or a workshop that works accord‐
ing to BMW repair procedures with appropri‐
ately trained personnel.
If this work is not carried out properly, there is
the danger of subsequent damage and related
safety hazards.
Parts and Accessories
For your own safety, use genuine parts and ac‐
cessories approved by BMW. When you pur‐
chase accessories tested and approved by
BMW and Genuine BMW Parts, you simultane‐
ously acquire the assurance that they have been
thoroughly tested by BMW to ensure optimum
performance when installed on your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free from de‐
fects in material and workmanship. BMW will not
accept any liability for damage resulting from in‐
stallation of parts and accessories not approved
by BMW. BMW cannot test every product made
by other manufacturers to verify if it can be used
on a BMW safely and without risk to either the
vehicle, its operation, or its occupants. Genuine
BMW Parts, BMW Accessories and other prod‐
ucts approved by BMW, together with profes‐
sional advice on using these items, are available
from all BMW centers. Installation and operation
of non-BMW approved accessories such as
alarms, radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,
wheels, suspension components, brake dust
shields, telephones, including operation of any
mobile phone from within the vehicle without
using an externally mounted antenna, or trans‐
ceiver equipment, for instance, CBs, walkie-
talkies, ham radios or similar accessories, may
cause extensive damage to the vehicle, com‐
promise its safety, interfere with the vehicle's
electrical system or affect the validity of the
BMW Limited Warranty. See your BMW center for additional information. Maintenance, re‐
placement,
or repair of the emission control de‐
vices and systems may be performed by any au‐
tomotive repair establishment or individual
using any certified automotive part.
California Proposition 65 Warning
California laws require us to state the following
warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of automobile
components and parts, including components
found in the interior furnishings in a vehicle, con‐
tain or emit chemicals known to the State of Cal‐
ifornia to cause cancer and birth defects and re‐
productive harm. In addition, certain fluids
contained in vehicles and certain products of
component wear contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer
and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. Wash your
hands after handling. Used engine oil contains
chemicals that have caused cancer in laboratory
animals. Always protect your skin by washing
thoroughly with soap and water.
Service and warranty
We recommend that you read this publication
thoroughly. Your vehicle is covered by the fol‐
lowing warranties:
▷ New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
▷ Rust Perforation Limited Warranty.
▷ Federal Emissions System Defect Warranty.
▷ Federal Emissions Performance Warranty.
▷ California Emission Control System Limited
Warranty.
Detailed information about these warranties is
listed in the Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models or in the Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models.
Your vehicle has been specifically adapted and
designed to meet the particular operating con‐
ditions and homologation requirements in your
country

and continental region in order to deliver
the full driving pleasure while the vehicle is op‐
erated under those conditions. If you wish to op‐
Seite 7
7Online 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

Opening and closing
Remote control/key
Buttons on the remote control
1
Unlocking
2 Locking
3 Opening the trunk lid
4 Panic mode*, headlamp courtesy delay fea‐
ture
General information
The vehicle is supplied with two remote controls
with keys.
Every remote control contains a replaceable
battery.
The settings called up and implemented when
the vehicle is unlocked depend on which remote
control is used to unlock the vehicle, Personal
Profile, refer to page 33.
In addition, information about service require‐
ments is stored in the remote control, Service
data in the remote control, refer to page 258.Integrated key Press the button on the back of the remote con‐
trol, arrow 1, and pull out the key, arrow 2.
The integrated key fits the following locks:
▷
Driver's door.
▷ Trunk lid.
▷ Storage compartment in the front center
armrest.
The storage compartment contains a switch for
separately securing the trunk lid, refer to
page 41.
Replacing the battery 1.
Take the integrated key out of the remote
control.
2. Push in the catch with the key, arrow 1.
3. Remove the cover of the battery compart‐
ment; see arrow 2.
4. Insert a battery of the same type with the
positive side facing upwards.
5. Press the cover closed.
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32 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 497 - 03 11 490
Opening and closing

Take the used battery to a recycling cen‐
ter or to your service center.
New remote controls
You can obtain new remote controls from your
service center.
Loss of the remote controls
Lost remote controls can be blocked by your
service center.
Emergency
detection of remote control
It is possible to switch on the ignition or start the
engine in situations such as the following:
▷ Interference of radio transmission to remote
control by external sources.
▷ Discharged battery in the remote control.
A Check Control message is displayed if an at‐
tempt is made to switch on the ignition or start
the engine.
Starting the engine in case of
emergency

detection of remote controlIf a corresponding Check Control message ap‐
pears, hold the remote control, as shown,
against

the marked area on the steering column
and press the Start/Stop button within 10 sec‐
onds while pressing the brake. Personal Profile
The concept
Personal Profile concept
You can set several of your vehicle's functions
to suit your personal needs and preferences.
▷
The settings are automatically saved in the
profile currently activated.
▷ When the vehicle is unlocked, the profile that
was last detected and called up with the re‐
mote control is used.
▷ Your personal settings will be recognized
and called up again even if the vehicle has
been

used in the meantime by someone else
with another remote control.
The individual settings are stored for three Per‐
sonal Profiles and one guest profile.
Transmitting the settings
Your

personal settings can be taken with you to
another vehicle equipped with the Personal Pro‐
file function. For more information, contact your
service center.
Transmission takes place via:
▷ The USB interface*, refer to page 138, in
the glove compartment onto a USB device.
Profile management
Opening the profiles
A

different profile can be called up than the one
associated with the remote control currently in
use.
1. "Settings"
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Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance

When the center armrest is locked, the tailgate
cannot
be accessed. This is beneficial when the
vehicle is parked using valet service. The infra‐
red remote control can be handed out without
the key.
Emergency unlocking* Pull the handle inside the cargo area.
The trunk lid unlocks.
Comfort Access*
The concept
The vehicle can be accessed without activating
the remote control.
All you need to do is to have the remote control
with you, e.g., in your jacket pocket.
The vehicle automatically detects the remote
control when it is nearby or in the passenger
compartment.
Comfort Access supports the following func‐
tions:
▷
Unlocking/locking of the vehicle.
▷ Convenient closing.
▷ Unlocking of the trunk lid separately.
▷ Starting the engine.
Functional requirements
▷ There are no external sources of interfer‐
ence nearby.
▷ To lock the vehicle, the remote control must
be located outside of the vehicle.
▷ The next unlocking and locking cycle is not
possible until after approx. 2 seconds. ▷
The engine can only be started if the remote
control is inside the vehicle.
Comparison with ordinary remote
control
The

functions can be controlled by pressing the
buttons or via Comfort Access.
Unlocking Fully grasp a door handle, arrow 1. This corre‐
sponds to pressing the
button.
Locking Press the area on the door handle, arrow 2, with
your finger for approx. 1 second.
This corresponds to pressing the
button.
To save battery power, ensure that the ignition
and all electronic systems and/or power con‐
sumers are switched off before locking the ve‐
hicle.
Convenient closing
Press the area, arrow 2, with your finger and
hold.
In

addition to locking, the windows and the glass
sunroof* are closed.
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42 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 497 - 03 11 490
Opening and closing

One person per safety belt
Never
allow more than one person to wear
a single safety belt. Never allow infants or small
children to ride on a passenger's lap.◀
Putting on the belt
Lay the belt, without twisting, snugly
across the lap and shoulders, as close to the
body as possible. Make sure that the belt lies low
around the hips in the lap area and does not
press on the abdomen. Otherwise, the belt can
slip over the hips in the lap area in a frontal im‐
pact and injure the abdomen.
The safety belt must not lie across the neck, rub
on sharp edges, be routed over solid or breaka‐
ble objects, or be pinched.◀
Reduction of restraining effect
Avoid wearing clothing that prevents the
belt from fitting properly, and pull the shoulder
belt periodically to readjust the tension across
your lap; otherwise, the retention effect of the
safety belt may be reduced.◀
Buckling the belt Make sure you hear the latch plate engage in the
belt buckle.
Tensioning the safety belt
automatically*
After the belt is buckled and the door is closed,
the belt is tightened once automatically.
Unbuckling the belt
1.
Hold the belt firmly.
2. Press the red button in the belt buckle. 3.
Guide the belt back into its reel.
Safety belt reminder for the driver's and
front passenger seat The indicator lamp flashes or lights up
and a signal sounds. Make sure that the
safety belts are positioned correctly.
The safety belt reminder is active at speeds
above approx. 5 mph/8 km/h. It can also be ac‐
tivated if objects are placed on the front pas‐
senger seat.
Safety mode*
In

critical situations, e.g., during full brake appli‐
cation, the front safety belts tighten automati‐
cally.
If the situation passes without an accident oc‐
curring, the belt tension relaxes.
If the belt tension does not loosen automatically,
stop the vehicle and unbuckle the belt using the
red button in the buckle. Fasten the belt before
continuing on your trip.
Damage to safety belts
In the case of strain caused by accidents or
damage:
Have the safety belts, including the safety belt
tensioners, replaced and have the belt anchors
checked.
Checking and replacing safety belts
Have the work performed only by your
service center; otherwise, it cannot be ensured
that this safety feature will function properly.◀
Front head restraints
Correctly adjusted head restraint
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the
risk of injury to cervical vertebrae in the event of
an accident. Seite 54
54 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 497 - 03 11 490
Adjusting

1.
Pull the head restraint upward as far as pos‐
sible.
2. Press the button, arrow 1, and pull the head
restraint out completely.
Before transporting passengers
Reinstall the head restraint before trans‐
porting anyone in the seat; otherwise, the pro‐
tective function of the head restraint is unavail‐
able.◀
Removing: Electrical
* head restraints
Note
Do not remove the rear head restraints.
To avoid damage, they can only be installed by
your service center.
Removing
Only remove the head restraint if no one will be
sitting in the seat in question.
1. Completely raise the head restraint.
2. Completely pull out the head restraint with a
firm tug.
Before transporting passengers
Reinstall the head restraint before trans‐
porting anyone in the seat; otherwise, the pro‐
tective function of the head restraint is unavail‐
able.◀ Seat, mirror, and steering
wheel memory*
General information
Front
Two different driver's seat, exterior mirror, and
steering wheel positions can be stored and re‐
trieved

for each remote control. The adjustment
of the lumbar support is not stored.
Rear Two different seat positions can be stored and
retrieved.
Storing
1.
Switch on the ignition.
2. Set the desired position.
3. Press the button. The LED in the
button lights up.
4. Press the desired button 1 or 2. The LED
goes out.
If the M button is pressed accidentally: Press the button again.
The LED goes out. Seite 57
57Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 497 - 03 11 490

Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance