Get Controls -> Adjusting Guide for BMW 7 Series 4 Door Fifth Generation (2008-2014)

Adjusting

Overview

Sitting safely

The ideal seating position can make a vital con‐

tribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving.

The seating position plays an important role in

an accident in combination with:

▷

Safety belts, refer to page 53.

Head restraints, refer to page 54.

Airbags, refer to page 88.

1

2

3

4

5

6

Lumbar support*

Front seats

Backrest width*

Shoulder support*

Backrest

Adjusting

Forward/back, height, tilt

Thigh support*

General information

Do not adjust the seat while driving

Never attempt to adjust the driver's seat

while driving.

Adjustments in detail

1. Forward/back.

The seat could respond with unexpected move‐

ment and the ensuing loss of vehicle control

could lead to an accident.◀

Do not incline the backrest too far to the

rear

Do not incline the backrest on the front passen‐

ger side too far to the rear during driving. Oth‐

erwise, there is the danger of sliding under the

safety belt in an accident. This would eliminate

the protection normally provided by the belt.◀

2. Height.

The seat setting is stored for the remote control

currently in use. When the vehicle is unlocked

via the remote control, the position is automati‐

cally retrieved if this function, refer to page 37,

was activated.

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3. Seat tilt.

▷

Press the front/rear section of the switch.

The curvature is increased/decreased.

Press the upper/lower section of the switch.

The curvature is shifted up/down.

4. Backrest tilt.

Backrest width*

5. Thigh support*.

Change the width of the backrest using the side

wings to adjust the lateral support.

To make it easier to enter and exit the vehicle,

the backrest width temporarily opens fully.

Shoulder support*

Lumbar support*

The curvature of the seat backrest can be ad‐

justed in such a way that it supports the lumbar

region of the spine. The lower back and the

spine are supported for upright posture.

Also supports the back in the shoulder area:

▷

Results in a relaxed seating position.

Reduces strain on the shoulder muscles.

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Gentleman function*

Front seat heating*

The front passenger seat can be adjusted with

the switches of the driver's seat.

Switching on

Press the button once for each temper‐

ature level.

1.

Press the button. The LED lights up.

The maximum temperature is reached when

three LEDs are lit.

2. Adjust the front passenger seat on your own

seat.

3. If needed, store the memory position, refer

to page 57, for the front passenger seat.

Switching off

Press the button longer.

The LEDs go out.

4. Press the button to deactivate the function.

The LED goes out.

The function deactivates itself automatically af‐

ter some time.

The temperature may be reduced or seat heat‐

ing may be switched off entirely to save battery

power.

Active seat*

Temperature distribution*

The heating action in the seat cushion and back‐

rest can be distributed in different ways.

Active adjustment of the seat cushion's con‐

tours reduces muscular tension and fatigue to

help prevent lower back pain.

1. "Climate"

2. "Seat heating distribution"

3. Select the required seat.

Press the button. The LED lights up.

4. Turn the controller to set the temperature

distribution.

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Front active seat ventilation*

At a glance

The seat cushion and backrest surfaces are

cooled by means of integrated fans.

The ventilation rapidly cools the seat, e.g., if the

vehicle interior is overheated or for continuous

cooling at high temperatures.

1

2

3

4

5

6

Forward/backward, tilt

Backrest

Adjust front passenger seat

Reset to standard position

Head restraint.

Switching on

Lumbar support

Press the button once for each ventila‐

tion level.

The seats cannot be adjusted if the safety

switch for the power windows has been

pressed.

The highest level is active when three LEDs are

lit.

Settings in detail

1. Forward/back.

After a short time, the system automatically

moves down one level in order to prevent ex‐

cessive cooling.

Switching off

Press the button longer.

The LEDs go out.

Rear seats

Adjusting

2. Seat tilt.

General information

The switches for adjusting the seats are located

on the center armrest of the rear seats.

Center armrest

When folding down the center armrest,

ensure that the area below the center head re‐

straint is clear. Otherwise, injury may result.◀

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3. Backrest tilt.

2. Adjust the passenger seat, e.g., forward/

back.

3. Press the button to deactivate the function,

arrow.

The function deactivates itself automatically af‐

ter some time.

Reset* to standard position

Lumbar support

The contour of the seat backrest can be ad‐

justed in such a way that it supports the lumbar

region of the spine. The lower back and the

spine are supported for upright posture.

Maintain pressure on the button until the system

completes the adjustment.

Massage function in rear seats*

Wavelike motions from the top to the bottom in

the backrest relax back muscles.

Button in rear

▷

Press the front/rear section of the switch.

The curvature is increased/decreased.

Press the upper/lower section of the switch.

The curvature is shifted up/down.

Adjusting the front passenger seat

from the rear

For more leg room in the rear, for example.

Switching on

To switch on, press the button once for

each massage level.

The highest level is active when two LEDs are

lit.

Switching off

To switch off, press and hold the button.

The LEDs go out.

1. Press the button to activate the function, ar‐

row.

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Rear seat heating*

Active seat ventilation*

Switching on

Press the button once for each temper‐

Press the button once for each ventila‐

ature level.

tion level.

The maximum temperature is reached when

three LEDs are lit.

The highest level is active when three LEDs are

lit.

Switching off

Press the button longer.

The LEDs go out.

Press the button longer.

The LEDs go out.

Temperature distribution*

Safety belts

The heating action in the seat cushion and back‐

rest can be distributed in different ways.

Seats with safety belt

The vehicle has five seats, each of which is

equipped with a safety belt.

1. "Climate"

2. "Seat heating rear"

3. Select the required seat.

Notes

Always make sure that safety belts are being

worn by all occupants before driving away.

Although airbags enhance safety by providing

added protection, they are not a substitute for

safety belts.

▷

The shoulder strap's anchorage point will be

correct for adult seat occupants of every

build if the seat is correctly adjusted.

4. Turn the controller to set the temperature

distribution.

The two outer safety belt buckles,

integrated into the rear seat, are for passen‐

gers sitting on the left and right.

The center rear seat belt buckle marked with

the letters CENTER is solely intended for

the center passenger.

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One person per safety belt

3. Guide the belt back into its reel.

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.◀

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.

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.

Safety mode*

The safety belt must not lie across the neck, rub

on sharp edges, be routed over solid or breaka‐

ble objects, or be pinched.◀

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.

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.◀

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:

Buckling the belt

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.◀

Make sure you hear the latch plate engage in the

belt buckle.

Front head restraints

Tensioning the safety belt

automatically*

Correctly adjusted head restraint

A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the

risk of injury to cervical vertebrae in the event of

an accident.

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.

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Adjusting the head restraint

Distance to back of head: manual head

restraints

Correctly adjust the head restraints of all

occupied seats; otherwise, there is an increased

risk of injury in an accident.◀

Height

Adjust the head restraint so that its center is ap‐

proximately at ear level.

Distance

Adjust the distance so that the head restraint is

as close as possible to the back of the head.

▷

Forward: pull.

Back: press the button and push the head

restraint toward the rear.

Active head restraint

In the event of a rear-end collision with a certain

severity, the active head restraint automatically

reduces the distance from the head.

Distance to the back of the head:

power* head restraints

The head restraint is automatically repositioned

when the shoulder support is adjusted.

Reduced protective function

▷

Do not use seat or head restraint cov‐

ers.

Adjusting the side extensions*

▷

Do not hang objects, e.g., clothes hangers,

on the head restraints.

Only attach accessories approved by BMW

to the seat or head restraint.

Otherwise, the protective function of the active

head restraint will be impaired and the personal

safety of the occupants will be endangered.◀

Adjusting the height

Fold forward for increased lateral support in the

resting position.

Removing

The head restraints cannot be removed.

Rear head restraints

Correctly adjusted head restraint

Adjusting electrically.

A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the

risk of injury to cervical vertebrae in the event of

an accident.

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Adjusting the head restraint

Adjusting the height: electrical*

Correctly adjust the head restraints of all

occupied seats; otherwise, there is an increased

risk of injury in an accident.◀

▷

The head restraints on the left and right rear

passenger seats extend automatically

whenever a passenger in the rear seat fas‐

tens his or her safety belt.

Height

Adjust the head restraint so that its center is ap‐

proximately at ear level.

Distance

Adjust the distance so that the head restraint is

as close as possible to the back of the head.

Folding forward the center head

restraint

▷

In addition, the height of the head restraint

can be adjusted electrically.

Extending the head restraint

To prevent possible personal injury and

property damage, always ensure that the area

above the head restraints is clear and unob‐

structed before extending them upward.◀

The height adjustment of the head restraint is

deactivated when the safety switch for the rear

windows, refer to page 45, has been pressed.

Before using the center seat, fold the center

head restraint forward.

Adjusting the side extensions*

Press the button, arrow 1, and fold the head re‐

straint forward.

Adjusting the height: manual head

restraints

Fold the side extensions on the head restraint

forward for increased lateral support in the rest‐

ing position.

Removing: manual head restraints

Only remove the head restraint if no one will be

sitting in the seat in question.

The height of the outer head restraints can be

adjusted.

▷

To raise: pull.

To lower: press the button, arrow 1, and

push the head restraint down.

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Seat, mirror, and steering

wheel memory*

General information

Front

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.◀

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.

Removing: Electrical* head restraints

Rear

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.

Two different seat positions can be stored and

retrieved.

2. Completely pull out the head restraint with a

firm tug.

Storing

Before transporting passengers

1. Switch on the ignition.

2. Set the desired position.

Reinstall the head restraint before trans‐

porting anyone in the seat; otherwise, the pro‐

tective function of the head restraint is unavail‐

able.◀

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.

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Calling up settings

Mirrors

Do not retrieve the memory while driving

Exterior mirrors

At a glance

Do not retrieve the memory setting while

driving, as an unexpected movement of the seat

or steering wheel could result in an accident.◀

Comfort function

1. Open the driver's door.

2. Switch off the ignition.

3. Briefly press the desired button 1 or 2.

The corresponding seat position is performed

automatically.

The procedure stops when a switch for adjust‐

ing the seat or one of the buttons is pressed.

1

2

3

Adjusting

Left/right, Automatic Curb Monitor*

Fold in and out*

Safety mode

1. Close the driver's door or switch on the ig‐

nition.

General information

The mirror on the passenger side is more curved

than the driver's side mirror.

2. Press and hold the desired button 1 or 2 until

the adjustment procedure is completed.

Estimating distances correctly

Calling up of a seat position

deactivated

After a brief period, the calling up of stored seat

positions is deactivated to save battery power.

Objects reflected in the mirror are closer

than they appear. Do not estimate the distance

to the traffic behind you based on what you see

in the mirror, as this will increase your risk of an

accident.◀

To reactivate calling up of a seat position:

▷

Open or close the door or trunk lid.

Press a button on the remote control.

Press the Start/Stop button.

The mirror setting is stored for the remote con‐

trol currently in use. When the vehicle is un‐

locked via the remote control, the position is au‐

tomatically retrieved if the setting for this

function is active.

Selecting a mirror

To change over to the other mirror:

Slide the mirror changeover switch.

Adjusting electrically

The setting corresponds to the direction

in which the button is pressed.

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Storing positions*

Automatic heating

Seat, mirror, and steering wheel memory, refer

to page 57.

Both exterior mirrors are automatically heated

whenever the engine is running.

Adjusting manually

Automatic dimming feature

If an electrical malfunction occurs, for example,

press the edges of the mirror glass.

Both exterior mirrors are automatically dimmed.

PhotocellsareusedforcontrolintheInteriorrear

view mirror, refer to page 59.

Automatic Curb Monitor*

Interior rearview mirror

When the reverse gear is engaged, the mirror

glass tilts downward slightly on the front pas‐

senger side. This improves your view of the curb

and other low-lying obstacles when parking, for

example.

Reducing the blinding effect

Activating

1.

Slide the mirror changeover switch

to the driver's side mirror position.

2. Engage transmission position R.

Deactivating

From behind when driving at night: turn the

knob.

Slide the mirror changeover switch to the pas‐

senger's side mirror position.

Interior rearview mirror, automatic

dimming feature*

Fold in and out*

Press the button.

Possible up to approx. 15 mph/20 km/h.

For example, this is advantageous

▷

In car washes.

In narrow streets.

For folding back mirrors that were folded

away manually.

Mirrors that were folded in are folded out auto‐

matically at a speed of approx. 25 mph/40 km/h.

Photocells are used for control:

▷

In the mirror glass.

Fold in the mirror in a car wash

On the back of the mirror.

Before entering an automatic car wash,

fold in the exterior mirrors by hand or with the

button; otherwise, they could be damaged, de‐

pending on the width of the vehicle.◀

For proper operation:

▷

Keep the photocells clean.

Do not cover the area between the inside

rearview mirror and the windshield.

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Adjusting

Illuminated vanity mirror* in

the rear

Folding down

The steering wheel can be adjusted in four di‐

rections.

Storing the position

Press the button.

Seat, mirror, and steering wheel memory, refer

to page 57.

The vanity mirror folds down.

The angle can be adjusted by hand.

Assistance getting in and out

Folding up

Press the mirror up.

The steering wheel temporarily moves into the

highest position to make it easier to enter and

exit the vehicle.

Steering wheel

Steering wheel heating*

General information

Switching on/off

Press the button.

Do not adjust while driving

Do not adjust the steering wheel while

driving; otherwise, an unexpected movement

could result in an accident.◀

▷

On: the LED lights up.

Off: the LED goes out.

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Controls -> Adjusting for Your BMW 7 Series 4 Door Fifth Generation (2008-2014)

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