2016 BMW 7 SERIES Controls

Driver assistance systemsVehicle features and options
This chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems. The respectively applicable country
provisions must be observed when using the
respective features and systems.
Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, ACC
The concept
Use this system to select a desired speed that
the vehicle will maintain automatically on clear
roads.
To the extent possible, the system automati‐
cally adjusts the speed to a slower vehicle
ahead of you.
The distance that the vehicle maintains to the
vehicle ahead of you can be varied. For safety
reasons, it depends on the speed.
To maintain a certain distance, the system au‐
tomatically reduces the speed, applies the
brakes lightly, or accelerates again if the vehi‐
cle ahead begins moving faster.
If the vehicle ahead of you brakes to a halt, and
then proceeds to drive again within a brief pe‐
riod, the system is able to detect this within the
given system limits. Your own vehicle will
brake automatically and then accelerate again.
If the vehicle ahead of you drives away again
after a prolonged period, briefly press the ac‐
celerator pedal or press the appropriate button
to reactivate the system. The vehicle will auto‐
matically accelerate.As soon as the road is clear, the vehicle accel‐
erates to the desired speed.
Vehicles driving ahead are captured by a radar
sensor and a camera.
General information
Depending on the driving settings, the features
of the cruise control can change in certain
areas.
The desired speed is also maintained downhill,
but may not be maintained on uphill grades if
engine power is insufficient.
Due to the driving style that minimizes fuel
consumption in ECO PRO drive mode, the ve‐
hicle may drop below the set desired speed in
some situations, e.g. on uphill grades.
Information WARNING
The system does not relieve from the
personal responsibility to correctly assess the
traffic situation. Based on the limits of the sys‐
tem, it cannot independently react to all traffic
situations. There is risk of an accident. Adjust
the driving style to the traffic conditions. Watch
traffic closely and actively interfere in the re‐
spective situations.◀
WARNING
An unsecured vehicle can put itself into
motion and roll away. There is risk of an acci‐
dent. Before exiting, secure the vehicle against
rolling.
In order to ensure that the vehicle is secured
against rolling away, observe the following:▷Set the parking brake.▷On uphill grades or on a slope, turn the
front wheels in the direction of the curb.▷On uphill grades or on a slope, also secure
the vehicle, e.g. with a wheel chock.◀Seite 168ControlsDriver assistance systems168
Online Edition for Part no. 0140 2 964 330 - VI/15

Overview
Buttons on the steering wheelPress
buttonFunctionCruise control on/off, refer to
page 169.Store/maintain speed, refer to
page 170.Pause cruise control, refer to
page 170.
Continue cruise control with the
last setting, refer to page 171.Without steering and lane guid‐
ance assistant:
Increase distance, refer to
page 171.Without steering and lane guid‐
ance assistant:
Reduce distance, refer to
page 171.With steering and lane guidance
assistant:
Adjust distance, refer to
page 171.Rocker switch:
Maintain, store, change speed,
refer to page 170.With steering and lane guidance
assistant:
Steering and lane guidance as‐
sistant including Traffic Jam As‐
sist on/off, refer to page 177.Radar sensor
The radar sensor is located in the front
bumper.
Always keep radar sensor clean and unob‐
structed.
Camera
The camera is installed near the interior rear‐
view mirror.
Keep the windshield in the area behind the in‐
terior rearview mirror clean and clear.
Switching on/off and interrupting
cruise control
Switching on Press button on the steering wheel.
The indicator lights in the instrument cluster
light up and the mark in the speedometer is set
to the current speed.
Cruise control is active.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control will be
switched on if needed.
Seite 169Driver assistance systemsControls169
Online Edition for Part no. 0140 2 964 330 - VI/15

Switch off
To switch off the system while standing, step
on brake pedal at the same time.
Press button on the steering wheel.
The displays go out. The stored desired speed
is deleted.
Interrupting When active, press the button on the
steering wheel.
If interrupting the system while stationary,
press on the brake pedal at the same time.
The system is automatically interrupted in the
following situations:▷When the brakes are applied.▷When selector lever position D is disen‐
gaged.▷When DTC Dynamic Traction Control is
activated or DSC is deactivated.▷When DSC is actively controlling stability.▷If the safety belt and the driver's door are
opened while the vehicle is standing still.▷If the system has not detected objects for
an extended period, e.g., on a road with
very little traffic without curb or shoulder
markings.▷If the detection range of the radar is dis‐
rupted, e.g., by dirt or heavy fog.▷After a longer stationary period when the
vehicle has been braked to a stop by the
system.
Maintaining, storing, and changing the
speed
Information WARNING
The desired speed can be incorrectly ad‐
justed or called up by mistake. There is risk of
an accident. Adjust the desired speed to the
traffic conditions. Watch traffic closely and ac‐
tively interfere in the respective situations.◀
WARNING
Risk of accident due to too high speed
differences to other vehicles, e.g. in the follow‐
ing situations:▷When fast approaching a slowly moving
vehicle.▷Suddenly swerving vehicle onto the own
lane.▷When fast approaching standing vehicles.
There is risk of injuries or danger to life. Watch
traffic closely and actively interfere in the re‐
spective situations.◀
Maintaining/storing the speed Press button.
Or:
Press the rocker switch while the system is in‐
terrupted.
When the system is switched on, the current
speed is maintained and stored as the desired
speed.
This is displayed in the speedometer and
briefly in the instrument cluster, refer to
page 172.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control will be
switched on if needed.
Seite 170ControlsDriver assistance systems170
Online Edition for Part no. 0140 2 964 330 - VI/15

Changing the speed
Press the rocker switch up or down repeatedly
until the desired speed is set.
If active, the displayed speed is stored and the
vehicle reaches the stored speed when the
road is clear.▷Each time the rocker switch is pressed to
the resistance point, the desired speed in‐
creases or decreases by 1 mph/1 km/h.▷Each time the rocker switch is pressed
past the point of resistance, the desired
speed increases or decreases by a maxi‐
mum of 5 mph/10 km/h.
Hold the rocker switch in position to repeat the
action.
Distance WARNING
The system does not relieve from the
personal responsibility. Due to the system lim‐
its, braking can be late. There is risk of acci‐
dents or risk of property damage. Be aware to
the traffic situation at all times. Adjust the dis‐
tance to the traffic and weather conditions and
maintain the prescribed safety distance, possi‐
bly by braking.◀
Without steering and lane guidance
assistant: reducing distance
Press button repeatedly until the de‐
sired distance is set.
Instrument cluster will display selected dis‐
tance, refer to page 172.
Without steering and lane guidance
assistant: increasing distance
Press button repeatedly until the de‐
sired distance is set.
Instrument cluster will display selected dis‐
tance, refer to page 172.
With steering and lane guidance
assistant: adjusting distance
Press button repeatedly until the de‐
sired distance is set.
Continuing cruise control
General information Press button with the system inter‐
rupted.
The stored speed is reached and maintained.
In the following cases, the stored speed value
is deleted and cannot be called up again:▷When the system is switched off.▷When drive readiness is switched off.
While standing
The system brought the vehicle to a complete
standstill:
▷Green marking in the speedometer:
Your vehicle accelerates automatically as
soon as the vehicle in the range of the ra‐
dar sensor moves off.▷Speedometer markings turn orange/white
after a short time: no automatic driving off.
By pressing the button, the time in
which there is automatic driving off is
extended.
Vehicle symbol in the distance indicator is
moving away: detected vehicle drove off.
The system was paused or your vehicle was
brought to a halt actively through stepping on
the brake pedal and it is standing behind an‐
other vehicle:
1. Press button to call up a stored
desired speed.2.Release the brake pedal.3.When the vehicle in front drives off:▷briefly press the gas pedal.Seite 171Driver assistance systemsControls171
Online Edition for Part no. 0140 2 964 330 - VI/15

▷ Press button.▷ Press button▷Press the rocker switch.
Displays in the instrument cluster
Desired speed Display in the speedometer:
▷Green marking: system is
active.▷Marking is orange/white: the
system has been paused.▷No marking: system is
switched off.
Status display
The selected desired speed is hidden
after a brief time.
If no speed is indicated, it is possible that the
conditions necessary for operation are not cur‐
rently fulfilled.
Distance to vehicle ahead of you Shown is selected distance to the vehicle driv‐
ing ahead of you.
SymbolDescriptionDistance 1Distance 2SymbolDescriptionDistance 3Distance 4
This value is set automatically
after the system is switched
on.System interrupted.Distance control suppressed
briefly because the gas pedal is
pressed.Vehicle symbol in the distance indicator is
moving away: detected vehicle drove off.
ACC is no longer accelerating. To accelerate
further, activate ACC by briefly stepping on
the accelerator pedal or pressing the rocker
switch.Seite 172ControlsDriver assistance systems172
Online Edition for Part no. 0140 2 964 330 - VI/15

Indicator/warning lightsSymbolDescriptionGreen symbols:
A vehicle has been detected
ahead of you. The system
maintains the set distance to
the vehicle in front.Vehicle symbol flashes:
The conditions are not ade‐
quate for the system to work.
The system was deactivated
but applies the brakes until you
actively resume control by
pressing on the brake pedal or
accelerator pedal.The vehicle symbol and dis‐
tance bars flash red and an
acoustic signal sounds:
You are requested to intervene
by braking or make an evasive
maneuver.
Displays in the Head-up Display
With Active Cruise control, some system infor‐
mation can also be displayed in the Head-up
Display.
The symbol is displayed on the Head-
up Display if the set desired speed is
reached.
Distance information The symbol is displayed when the dis‐
tance from the vehicle traveling ahead
is too short.
The distance information is active under the
following circumstances:
▷Active Cruise Control switched off.▷Display in the Head-up Display selected,
refer to page 126.▷Distance too short.▷Speed greater than approx.
40 mph/70 km/h.
System limits
Speed range The system is best used on well-constructedroads.
The minimum speed that can be set is
20 mph/30 km/h.
The maximum speed that can be set is
115 mph/180 km/h.
The system can also be activated when sta‐
tionary.
Comply with the legal speed limit in every sit‐
uation when using the system.
Detection range
The detection capacity of the system and the
automatic braking capacity are limited.
Two-wheeled vehicles for instance might not
be detected.
Deceleration
The system also does not decelerate in the fol‐
lowing situations:
▷For pedestrians or similar slow-moving
road users.▷For red traffic lights.▷For cross traffic.▷For oncoming traffic.Seite 173Driver assistance systemsControls173
Online Edition for Part no. 0140 2 964 330 - VI/15

Swerving vehicles
A vehicle driving in front of you is not detected
until it is completely within the same lane as
your vehicle.
If a vehicle driving ahead of you suddenly
swerves into your lane, the system may not be
able to automatically restore the selected dis‐
tance. This also applies to major speed differ‐
ences to vehicles driving ahead of you, e.g.,
when rapidly approaching a truck. When a ve‐
hicle driving ahead of you is reliably detected,
the system requests that the driver intervene
by braking and carrying out evasive maneu‐
vers, if needed.
WARNING
The system does not relieve from the
personal responsibility to correctly assess the
traffic situation. Based on the limits of the sys‐
tem, it cannot independently react to all traffic
situations. There is risk of an accident. Adjust
the driving style to the traffic conditions. Watch
traffic closely and actively interfere in the re‐
spective situations.◀
Cornering
If the desired speed is too high for a curve, the
speed is reduced slightly, although curves can‐
not be anticipated in advance. Therefore, drive
into a curve at an appropriate speed.
In tight curves the system offers only restricted
detection where a vehicle ahead of you might
be detected late or not at all.
When you approach a curve the system may
briefly report vehicles in the next lane due to
the bend of the curve. If the system deceler‐
ates you may compensate it by briefly acceler‐
ating.
After releasing the gas pedal the system is re‐
activated and controls speed independently.
Driving away In some situations, the vehicle cannot drive off
automatically; for example:
▷On steep inclines.▷From behind bumps in the road.
In these cases, step on the accelerator pedal.
Seite 174ControlsDriver assistance systems174
Online Edition for Part no. 0140 2 964 330 - VI/15

Weather
In the event of unfavorable weather and light conditions, e. g. if there is rain, snowfall, slush,
fog or glare, this may result in poorer recogni‐
tion of vehicles as well as short-term interrup‐
tions for vehicles that are already detected. Drive attentively, and react to the current trafficsituation. If necessary, intervene actively, e.g.
by braking, steering or evading.
Radar sensor
For US owners only
The transmitter and receiver units comply with
part 15 of the FCC/Federal Communication
Commission regulations. Operation is gov‐
erned by the following:
FCC ID:▷OAYARS3-A
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC
Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
▷This device may not cause harmful inter‐
ference, and▷this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or changes to
these devices could void the user's authority to
operate this equipment.
Malfunction
The system cannot be activated if the radar sensor is not aligned correctly. This may be
caused by damage incurred during parking,
e.g.
A Check Control message is displayed if the
system fails.
The function for detecting and responding
when approaching stationary vehicles may be limited in the following situations:
▷During calibration of the camera immedi‐
ately after vehicle delivery.▷If the camera is malfunctioning or dirty. A
Check Control message is displayed.
Cruise control
The concept The system maintains a preset speed via the
buttons on the steering wheel. The system
brakes on downhill gradients if engine braking
is insufficient.
General information
Depending on the driving settings, the features
of the cruise control can change in certain
areas.
The desired speed is also maintained downhill,
but may not be maintained on uphill grades if
engine power is insufficient.
Due to the driving style that minimizes fuel
consumption in ECO PRO drive mode, the ve‐
hicle may drop below the set desired speed in
some situations, e.g. on uphill grades.
Information WARNING
The use of the system can lead to an in‐
creased risk of accidents in the following situa‐
tions:
▷On winding roads.▷In heavy traffic.▷On slippery roads, in fog, snow or rain, or
on a loose road surface.
There is risk of accidents or risk of property
damage. Only use the system if driving at con‐
stant speed is possible.◀
Seite 175Driver assistance systemsControls175
Online Edition for Part no. 0140 2 964 330 - VI/15