2016 BMW 7 SERIES Safety switch

After the wipers are folded back down, the
wiper system must be reactivated.1.Switch on drive readiness and press and
hold the wiper lever downward again.2.Wipers return to their resting position and
are ready again for operation.
Washer fluid
Information WARNING
Some antifreeze agents can contain
harmful substances and are flammable. There
is risk of fire and risk of injuries. Observe the
instructions on the containers. Keep antifreeze
away from ignition sources. Do not refill oper‐
ating materials into different bottles. Store op‐
erating materials out of reach of children.
United States: The washer fluid mixture ratio is
regulated by the U.S. EPA and many individual
states; do not exceed the allowable washer
fluid dilution ratio limits that apply. Follow the
usage instructions on the washer fluid con‐
tainer.
Use of BMW’s Windshield Washer Concen‐
trate or the equivalent is recommended.◀
WARNING
Improperly executed work under the
hood can damage components and lead to a
safety risk. There is risk of accidents or risk of
property damage. Have work under the hood
be executed by a dealer’s service center or an‐
other qualified service center or repair shop.◀
Washer fluid reservoir
All washer nozzles are supplied from one res‐
ervoir in the engine compartment.
Fill with a mixture of windshield washer con‐
centrate and tap water and – if required – with a
washer antifreeze, according to the manufac‐
turer's recommendations.
Mix the washer fluid before adding to find the
right mixture.
Do not add windshield washer concentrate and
antifreeze undiluted and do not fill with pure
water; this could damage the wiper system.
Do not mix window washer concentrates of dif‐
ferent manufacturers because they can clog
the windshield washer nozzles.
Recommended minimum fill quantity:
0.2 US gal/1 liter.
Steptronic transmission
Information 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.Seite 106ControlsDriving106
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▷On uphill grades or on a slope, also secure
the vehicle, e.g. with a wheel chock.◀
Selector lever positions
D Drive
Selector lever position for normal vehicle oper‐
ation. All gears for forward travel are activated
automatically.
To reduce fuel consumption, the engine is au‐
tomatically decoupled from the transmission
under the conditions described for Coasting,
refer to page 245.
R is Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
N Neutral:
The vehicle may roll in selector lever posi‐
tion N.
Engage selector lever position N, e.g. in car
washes, refer to page 291.
With operating readiness switched off, refer to
page 20, selector lever position P is engaged
automatically.
P Park Select only when the vehicle is stationary. The
drive wheels are blocked.
Selector lever position P is engaged automati‐
cally:
▷After drive readiness, refer to page 97, is
switched off and selector lever position R
or D is engaged.▷If operating readiness is switched off and
selector lever position N is engaged.▷If the driver's safety belt is released, the
driver's door is opened, and the brake
pedal is not pressed while the vehicle is
stationary and selector lever position D or
R is set.Kickdown
Kickdown is used to achieve maximum driving
performance. Step on the accelerator pedal
beyond the resistance point at the full throttle
position.
Engaging selector lever positions General information To prevent the vehicle from creeping after you
select a gear, maintain pressure on the brake
pedal until you are ready to start.
It is not possible to shift out of selector lever
position P until the engine is running and the
brake is applied.
With the vehicle is stationary, press on the
brake pedal before shifting out of selector lever
position P or N; otherwise, the shift command
will not be executed: shift lock.
A block prevents the inadvertent switching to
selector lever position R or the inadvertent
change from selector lever position P.
Engaging selector lever position D, N, R
Briefly push the selector lever in the desired di‐
rection, beyond a resistance point if needed.
After releasing the selector lever, it returns to
its center position.
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Red lightsSafety belt reminder Flashing or illuminated: safety belt on
the driver or passenger side is not
buckled. The safety belt reminder can
also be activated if objects are placed on the
front passenger seat.
Make sure that the safety belts are positioned
correctly.
Airbag system Airbag system and belt tensioner are
not working.
Have the vehicle checked immediately
by a dealer’s service center or another quali‐
fied service center or repair shop.
Parking brake The parking brake is set.
For additional information, refer to Re‐
lease parking brake, refer to page 100.
Brake system Braking system disrupted. Continue to
drive moderately.
Have the vehicle checked immediately
by a dealer’s service center or another
qualified service center or repair shop.
Yellow lights
Anti-lock Braking System ABS Avoid sudden braking as much as pos‐
sible. Braking force boost may not be
working. Stop cautiously. Take into ac‐
count the longer brake distance. Have
checked immediately by a dealer’s
service center or another qualified
service center or repair shop.DSC Dynamic Stability Control
Flashing: DSC controls the drive and
braking forces. The vehicle is stabi‐
lized. Reduce speed and adapt driving
style to the driving circumstances.
Illuminated: DSC failed. Have system checked
immediately by a dealer’s service center or an‐
other qualified service center or repair shop.
For additional information, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC, refer to page 163.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control is
deactivated or DTC Dynamic Traction
Control is activated
Dynamic Stability Control DSC is
switched off or Dynamic Traction Con‐
trol DTC is switched on.
For additional information, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC, refer to page 163, and
Dynamic Traction Control DTC, refer to
page 164.
Flat Tire Monitor FTM The Flat Tire Monitor signals a loss of
tire inflation pressure in a tire.
Reduce your speed and stop cau‐
tiously. Avoid sudden braking and steering ma‐
neuvers.
For more information, see Flat Tire Monitor, re‐
fer to page 268.
Tire Pressure Monitor TPM Illuminated: the Tire Pressure Monitor
signals a loss of tire inflation pressure
in a tire.
Reduce your speed and stop cautiously. Avoid
sudden braking and steering maneuvers.
Flashing and then continuously illuminated: no
flat tire or loss of tire inflation pressure can be
detected.Seite 115DisplaysControls115
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LightsVehicle features and optionsThis 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.
Overview Switches in the vehicle
The light switch elements is located next to the
steering wheel.
Light functions
SymbolFunctionFront fog lightsLights off
Daytime running lightsParking lightsSymbolFunctionAutomatic headlight control
Adaptive Light ControlLow beamsInstrument lightingRight roadside parking lampLeft roadside parking lamp
Parking lights, cornering
lights and roadside parking
lights
General information Position of switch:
, ,
If the driver's door is opened when the drive-
ready state is switched off, the exterior lighting
is automatically switched off at these switch
settings.
Parking lights
Position of switch:

The vehicle is illuminated on all sides.
Do not use the parking lights for extended pe‐
riods; otherwise, they might drain the battery
and disable drive readiness.
When parking, switch on the one-sided road‐
side parking lamp, refer to page 130.
Low beams Position of switch:

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E. g. the sensors are unable to detect fog or
hazy weather. To avoid safety risks under
these conditions, you should always switch on
the lights manually.
Daytime running lights General information
Position of switch:
, ,
The daytime running lights light up when the
drive-ready state is switched on. After the
drive-ready state is switched off, the parking
lights light up in position
.
Activating/deactivating
In some countries, daytime running lights are
mandatory, so it may not be possible to deacti‐
vate the daytime running lights.
About iDrive:
1."My Vehicle"2."Vehicle settings"3."Lighting"4."Exterior lighting"5.Select desired setting.
The setting is stored for the drive profile cur‐
rently used.
Adaptive Light Control The conceptAdaptive Light Control is a variable headlight
control system that enables dynamic illumina‐
tion of the road surface.
General information
Depending on the steering angle and other pa‐ rameters, the light from the headlight follows
the course of the road.
To avoid blinding oncoming traffic, the Adap‐
tive Light Control does not swivel to the driv‐
er's side when the vehicle is at a standstill.
Depending on the equipment version, Adap‐
tive Light Control consists of one or several systems:▷Cornering light, refer to page 131.▷Adaptive headlight range control, refer to
page 131.
Activating
Switch setting
with switched-on drive-
ready state.
Corner-illuminating lights
In tight curves, e.g., on mountainous roads or
when turning, an additional, corner-illuminating
lamp is switched on that lights up the inside of
the curve when the vehicle is moving below a
certain speed.
The turning lights are automatically switched
on depending on the steering angle or the use
of turn signals.
When driving in reverse, the turning lights may
be automatically switched on regardless of the
steering angle.
Self-leveling headlights
The self-leveling headlights compensate for
acceleration and braking operations in order
not to blind the oncoming traffic and to achieve
optimum illumination of the roadway.
Malfunction
A Check Control message is displayed.
Adaptive Light Control is malfunctioning or has
failed. Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
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High-beam AssistantThe concept
The high-beam Assistant detects other traffic
participants early on and automatically
switches the high beams on or off depending
on the traffic situation. The assistant ensures
that the high beams are activated whenever
the traffic situation allows. In the low speed
range, the high beams are not switched on by
the system.
General information
The system responds to light from oncoming
traffic and traffic driving ahead of you, and to
adequate illumination, e.g., in towns and cities.
The driver can intervene at any time and switch
the high beams on and off as usual.
Depending on the version of the system in the
vehicle, the high beams may not switch off for
oncoming vehicles, but may only be dimmed in
the areas that blind oncoming traffic. In this
case, the blue indicator light will stay on.
Activating1.Turn the light switch to position .2.Press and hold PC button on blinker lever.
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.
When the low beams are on, the lights are au‐
tomatically brightened or dimmed.
The blue indicator lamp in the instru‐
ment cluster lights up when the system
switches on the high beams.
Deactivating The High-beam Assistant can be switched off
when manually switching the high beams on
and off, refer to page 103. To reactivate the
High-beam Assistant, press the button on the
turn signal lever.
System limits The High-beam Assistant cannot serve as a
substitute for the driver's personal judgment of
when to use the high beams. Therefore, man‐
ually switch off the high beams in situations
where required to avoid a safety risk.
The system is not fully functional in the follow‐
ing situations, and driver intervention may be
necessary:▷In very unfavorable weather conditions,
such as fog or heavy precipitation.▷When detecting poorly-lit road users such
as pedestrians, cyclists, horseback riders
and wagons; when driving close to train or
ship traffic; or at animal crossings.▷In tight curves, on hilltops or in depres‐
sions, in cross traffic or half-obscured on‐
coming traffic on highways.▷In poorly-lit towns and cities or in the pres‐
ence of highly reflective signs.▷When the windshield behind the interior
mirror is fogged over, dirty or covered with
stickers, etc.
Fog lights
Front fog lights
General information
The low beams must be switched on before
switching on the front fog lamps.
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spective accident severity. There is risk of
injuries or danger to life. Have the airbag sys‐
tem checked, repaired, dismantled and scrap‐
ped by a dealer’s service center or another
qualified service center or repair shop.◀
Correct function When drive readiness is switched on,
the warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up briefly and thereby in‐
dicates the function readiness of the entire air‐
bag system and the belt tensioners.
Airbag system malfunctioning▷Warning lamp does not come on when
drive readiness is switched on.▷The warning lamp lights up continuously.
Automatic deactivation of the front-
seat passenger airbags
The concept The system reads if the front passenger seat is
occupied by measuring the human body's re‐
sistance.
Front, knee and side airbag on the front pas‐
senger's side are either activated or deacti‐
vated.
Information Before transporting a child on the front pas‐
senger seat, refer to the safety notes and in‐
structions for children on the front passenger
seat, see Children.
WARNING
The ensure the front-seat passenger air‐
bag function, it must be detected, whether a
person occupies the front passenger seat. The
entire seat cushion area must be used for this
purpose. There is risk of injuries or danger to
life. Make sure that the front passenger keeps
his or her feet in the floor area.◀
Malfunction of the automatic
deactivation system
When transporting older children and adults,
the front-seat passenger airbags may be deac‐
tivated in certain sitting positions. In this case,
the indicator lamp for the front-seat passenger
airbags lights up.
In this case, change the sitting position so that
the front-seat passenger airbags are activated
and the indicator lamp goes out.
If it is not possible to activate the airbags, have
the person sit in the rear.
To enable correct recognition of the occupied
seat cushion▷Do not attach covers, cushions, ball mats
or other items to the front passenger seat
unless they are specifically determined to
be safe for use on the front passenger
seat.▷Do not place any electronic devices on the
passenger seat if a child restraint system is
to be installed on it.▷Do not place objects under the seat that
could press against the seat from below.▷No moisture in or on the seat.
Indicator lamp for the front-seat
passenger airbags
The indicator lamp for the front-seat passen‐
ger airbag in the roofliner indicates the operat‐
ing state of the front-seat passenger airbag.
The lamp indicates whether the airbags are ei‐
ther activated or deactivated.
After drive readiness is switched on, the lamp
briefly lights up and then indicates whether the
airbags are either activated or deactivated.
▷The indicator lamp lights up
when a child is properly
seated in a child restraint fix‐
ing system or when the seat
is empty. The airbags on the
front passenger side are not
activated.Seite 138ControlsSafety138
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▷The indicator lamp does not light up when,
e.g., a correctly seated person of sufficient
size is detected on the seat. The airbags
on the front passenger side are activated.
Detected child seats
The system generally detects children seated
in a child seat, particularly in child seats re‐
quired by NHTSA when the vehicle was manu‐ factured. After installing a child seat, make
sure that the indicator lamp for the front-seat
passenger airbags lights up. This indicates
that the child seat has been detected and the
front-seat passenger airbags are not activated.
Strength of the driver's and front-seat
passenger airbag
The explosive power that activates driver's/
front passenger's airbags very much depends
on the positions of the driver's/front passeng‐ er's seat.
With a respective message appearing on Con‐
trol Display calibrate the front seats to keep the accuracy of this function over the long-
term.
Calibrating the front seats WARNING
There is risk of jamming when moving
the seats. There is risk of injuries or risk of
property damage. Make sure that the area of
movement of the seat is clear prior to any ad‐
justment.◀
A corresponding message appears on the
Control Display.
1.Press the switch and move the respective
seat all the way forward.2.Press the switch forward again. The seat
still moves forward slightly.3.Readjust the seat to the desired position.The calibration procedure is completed when
the message on the Control Display disap‐
pears.
If the message continues to be displayed, re‐
peat the calibration.
If the message does not disappear after a re‐
peat calibration, have the system checked as
soon as possible.
Intelligent Safety The conceptIntelligent Safety enables central operation of
the driver assistance system. Depending on
how the vehicle is equipped, Intelligent Safety
consists of one or more systems that can help
prevent a imminent collision.▷Front-end collision warning with braking
function, refer to page 140.▷Pedestrian warning with City Braking func‐
tion, refer to page 144.▷Night Vision with pedestrian and animal
detection, refer to page 147.▷Lane departure warning, refer to
page 150.▷Active Blind Spot Detection, refer to
page 153.▷Side collision warning, refer to page 156.
Information
WARNING
Indicators and warnings do not relieve
from the personal responsibility. Due to sys‐
tem limits, warnings or reactions of the system
may not be output or they may be output too
late or incorrectly. There is risk of an accident.
Adjust the driving style to the traffic condi‐
tions. Watch traffic closely and actively inter‐
fere in the respective situations.◀
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