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

Safety

Airbags

1

2

3

Front airbag, driver

4

5

Side airbag

Front airbag, front passenger

Head airbag

Knee airbags

Front airbags

Knee airbag

Front airbags help protect the driver and front

passenger by responding to frontal impacts in

which safety belts alone cannot provide ade‐

quate restraint.

The knee airbag supports the legs in a frontal

impact.

Protective action

Airbags are not triggered in every impact situa‐

tion, e.g., in less severe accidents or rear-end

collisions.

Side airbags

In a lateral impact, the side airbag supports the

side of the body in the chest and lap area.

Information on how to ensure the optimal

protective effect of the airbags

In a lateral impact, the side airbag supports the

side of the body in the chest, lap, and head area.

▷

Keep at a distance from the airbags.

Always grasp the steering wheel on the

steering wheel rim, holding your hands at

the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, to keep

the danger of injury to your hands or arms as

low as possible if the airbag is triggered.

Head airbags

In a lateral impact, the head airbag supports the

head.

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▷

There should be no people, animals, or ob‐

jects between an airbag and a person.

Only have the airbags checked, repaired or dis‐

mantled and the airbag generator scrapped by

your service center or a workshop that has the

necessary authorization for handling explosives.

Do not use the cover of the front airbag on

the front passenger side as a storage area.

Non-professional attempts to service the sys‐

tem could lead to failure in an emergency or un‐

desired triggering of the airbag, either of which

could result in injury.◀

Keep the dashboard and window on the

front passenger side clear, i.e., do not cover

withadhesivelabelsorcoverings, and donot

attach holders such as for navigation instru‐

ments and mobile phones.

Warnings and information on the airbags are

also found on the sun visors.

▷

Make sure that the front passenger is sitting

correctly, i.e., keeps his or her feet and legs

in the footwell; otherwise, leg injuries can

occur if the front airbag is triggered.

Functional readiness of the airbag

system

When the ignition is switch on, the warn‐

ing lamp in the instrument cluster lights

up briefly and thereby indicates the op‐

erational readiness of the entire airbag system

and the belt tensioner.

Do not place slip covers, seat cushions or

other objects on the front passenger seat

that are not approved specifically for seats

with integrated side airbags.

▷

Do not hang pieces of clothing, such as jack‐

ets, over the backrests.

Airbag system malfunctioning

Make sure that occupants keep their heads

away from the side airbag and do not rest

against the head airbag; otherwise, injuries

can occur if the airbags are triggered.

▷

In radio ready state, the warning lamp does

not come on.

▷

The warning lamp lights up continuously.

▷

Do not remove the airbag restraint system.

Do not remove the steering wheel.

When there is a malfunction, have the air‐

bag system checked immediately

Do not apply adhesive materials to the air‐

bag cover panels, cover them or modify

them in any way.

When there is a malfunction, have the airbag

system checked immediately; otherwise, there

is a risk that the system does not function as ex‐

pected in the event of an accident despite cor‐

responding severity of the accident.◀

▷

Never modify either the individual compo‐

nents or the wiring in the airbag system. This

also applies to steering wheel covers, the

dashboard, the seats, the roof pillars and the

sides of the headliner.◀

Automatic deactivation of the front

passenger airbags

Even when all instructions are followed closely,

injury from contact with the airbags cannot be

ruled out in certain situations.

The system determines whether the front pas‐

senger seat is occupied by measuring the re‐

sistance of the human body.

The ignition and inflation noise may lead to

short-term and, in most cases, temporary hear‐

ing impairment in sensitive individuals.

The front, knee, and side airbag on the front

passenger side are activated or deactivated ac‐

cordingly.

In the case of a malfunction, deactivation

and after triggering of the airbags

Leave feet in the footwell

Make sure that the front passenger keeps

his or her feet in the footwell; otherwise, the front

passenger airbags may not function properly.◀

Do not touch the individual components imme‐

diately after the system has been triggered; oth‐

erwise, there is the danger of burns.

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Child restraint fixing system in the front

passenger seat

▷

The indicator lamp lights up

when a child who is properly

seated in a child restraint fix‐

ing system intended for that

purpose is detected on the

seat or the seat is empty. The

airbags on the front passen‐

ger side are not activated.

Before transporting a child on the front passen‐

ger seat, see the safety notes and instructions

under Children on the front passenger seat.◀

Malfunction of the automatic

deactivation system

When transporting older children and adults, the

front passenger airbags may be deactivated in

certain sitting positions. In this case, the indica‐

tor lamp for the front passenger airbags lights

up.

▷

The indicator lamp does not light up when,

for example, a correctly seated person of

sufficient size is detected on the seat. The

airbags on the front passenger side are ac‐

tivated.

The system generally detects children seated in

a child seat, especially in the child seats that

were required by NHTSA when the vehicle was

manufactured. After installing a child seat, make

sure that the indicator lamp for the front pas‐

senger airbags lights up. This indicates that the

child seat has been detected and the front pas‐

senger airbags are not activated.

In this case, change the sitting position so that

the front 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 make sure that the occupied seat cushion

can be evaluated correctly

▷

Do not attach covers, cushions, ball mats or

other items to the front passenger seat un‐

less they are specifically recommended by

the manufacturer of your vehicle.

Strength of the driver's and front

passenger airbag

The strength with which the driver's and front

passenger airbags are triggered depends on the

position of the driver's and front passenger

seats.

▷

Do not place any objects on the front pas‐

senger seat.

Do not place objects under the seat that

could press against the seat from below.

To maintain the accuracy of this function over

the long-term, calibrate the front seats when a

corresponding message appears on the Control

Display.

Indicator lamp for the front passenger

airbags

Calibrating the front seats

A corresponding message appears on the Con‐

trol Display.

1. Move the respective seat forward all the

way.

2. Move the respective seat forward again. It

moves forward briefly.

3. Readjust the seat to the desired position.

The indicator lamp for the front passenger air‐

bags indicates the operating state of the front

passenger airbags.

The calibration procedure is completed when

the message on the Control Display disappears.

If the message continues to be displayed, repeat

the calibration.

The lamp indicates whether the airbags are ac‐

tivated or deactivated.

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If the message does not disappear after a repeat

calibration, have the system checked as soon as

possible.

Status display

The current status of the Tire Pressure Monitor

TPM can be displayed on the Control Display,

e.g., whether or not the TPM is active.

Unobstructed area of movement

Ensure that the area of movement of the

seats is unobstructed to avoid personal injury or

damage to objects.◀

1. "Vehicle Info"

2. "Vehicle status"

3.

"Tire Pressure Monitor - TPM"

The status is displayed.

Tire Pressure Monitor TPM*

Status display

The tire and system status is indicated by the

color of the tires.

The concept

The tire inflation pressure is measured in the

four mounted tires. The system notifies you if

there is a significant loss of pressure in one or

more tires.

A change in the tire inflation pressure during

driving is taken into account.

A correction is only necessary if this is indicated

by the TPM

Functional requirements

Wheels, green

The tire inflation pressure is equal to the target

state.

The system must have been reset when the in‐

flation pressure was correct; otherwise, reliable

signaling of a flat tire is not ensured. Always use

wheels with TPM electronics to ensure that the

system will operate properly. Reset the system

after each correction of the tire inflation pres‐

sure and after every tire or wheel change.

One wheel is yellow

A flat tire or major drop in inflation pressure in

the indicated tire.

System limits

All wheels are yellow

Sudden tire damage

▷

A flat tire or major drop in inflation pressure

in several tires.

Sudden serious tire damage caused by

external influences cannot be indicated in ad‐

vance.◀

▷

The system was not reset after a wheel

change and thus warns based on the infla‐

tion pressures initialized last.

The system does not operate correctly if it has

not been reset. For example, a flat tire may be

indicated despite correct tire inflation pres‐

sures.

▷

A flat tire in one or more tires while the sys‐

tem is being reset.

Wheels, gray

The system cannot detect a flat tire. Reasons for

this may be:

The system is inactive and cannot indicate a flat

tire:

▷

For a mounted wheel without TPM electron‐

ics.

▷

TPM is being reset.

Disturbance by systems or devices with the

same radio frequency.

▷

When the TPM is disturbed by other sys‐

tems or devices with the same radio fre‐

quency.

▷

Malfunction.

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▷

The system was not reset after a wheel

change and thus warns based on the infla‐

tion pressures initialized last.

For Canadian models: additional

information

The status display additionally shows the cur‐

rent tire inflation pressures and tire tempera‐

tures.

1. Reduce your speed and stop cautiously.

Avoid sudden braking and steering maneu‐

vers.

When correcting the tire inflation pressures,

note the following:

2. Check whether the vehicle is fitted with reg‐

ular tires* or run-flat tires*.

The tire pressure increases as the tire temper‐

ature increases.

Run-flat tires, refer to page 251, are labeled

with a circular symbol containing the letters

RSC marked on the tire sidewall.

Therefore, only correct the tire inflation pres‐

sure when the tire is at the ambient temperature.

Compare the displayed tire temperature with

the external temperature in the instrument clus‐

ter.

When a low inflation pressure is indicated, DSC

Dynamic Stability Control is switched on if nec‐

essary.

Resetting the system

Actions in the event of a flat tire

Reset the system after each correction of the

tire inflation pressure and after every tire or

wheel change.

Normal tires*

1. Identify the damaged tire.

Do this by checking the air pressure in all

four tires.

1. "Vehicle Info"

2. "Vehicle status"

If the tire inflation pressure in all four tires is

correct, the Tire Pressure Monitor may not

have been initialized. In this case, initialize

the system.

3.

"Reset"

4. Start the engine - do not drive away.

5. Reset the tire pressure using "Reset".

6. Drive away.

If an identification is not possible, please

contact the service center.

The tires are shown in gray and "Resetting

TPM..." is displayed.

2. Rectify the flat tire.

Use of tire sealant, e.g., the Mobility System,

may damage the TPM wheel electronics. In

this case, have the electronics checked at

the next opportunity and have them re‐

placed if necessary.

After driving for a few minutes, the set tire infla‐

tion pressures are applied as set values. The re‐

setting process is completed automatically dur‐

ing driving. The tires are shown in green and

"TPM active" is shown on the Control Display.

The trip can be interrupted at any time. If you

drive away again, the process resumes auto‐

matically.

Run-flat tires*

You can continue driving with a damaged tire at

speeds up to 50 mph/80 km/h.

If a flat tire is detected during a reset, all tires are

displayed in yellow.

Do not continue driving without run-flat

tires

Low tire pressure message

Do not continue driving if the vehicle is not

equipped with run-flat tires; continued driving

may result in serious accidents.◀

The yellow warning lamp lights up. A

Check Control message is displayed.

▷

There is a flat tire or a major loss in

tire inflation pressure.

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Continued driving with a flat tire

come loose and cause an accident. Do not con‐

tinue driving, and contact your service center.◀

If continuing to drive with a damaged tire:

1. Avoid sudden braking and steering maneu‐

vers.

Message when the system was not

reset

A Check Control message is displayed.

2. Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.

3. Check the air pressure in all four tires at the

next opportunity.

The system detected a wheel change but was

not reset.

If the tire inflation pressure in all four tires is

correct, the Tire Pressure Monitor may not

have been initialized. In this case, initialize

the system.

Warnings regarding the current tire inflation

pressure are not reliable.

Check the tire inflation pressure and reset the

system.

Possible driving distance with complete loss of

tire inflation pressure:

Malfunction

The possible driving distance after a loss of tire

inflation pressure depends on the cargo load

and the driving style and conditions.

The yellow warning lamp flashes and

then lights up continuously. A Check

Control message is displayed. No flat

tire can be detected.

For a vehicle containing an average load, the

possible driving distance is approx. 50 miles/

80 km.

Display in the following situations:

▷

A wheel without TPM electronics is fitted:

have the service center check it if necessary.

When the vehicle is driven with a damaged tire,

its handling characteristics change, e.g., re‐

duced lane stability during braking, a longer

braking distance, and altered self-steering

properties. Adjust your driving style accord‐

ingly. Avoid abrupt steering maneuvers or driv‐

ing over obstacles, e.g., curbs, potholes, etc.

Malfunction: have the system checked by

your service center.

TPM could not be fully reset. Reset the sys‐

tem again.

Disturbance by systems or devices with the

same radio frequency: after leaving the area

of the disturbance, the system automatically

becomes active again.

Because the possible driving distance depends

on how the vehicle is used during the trip, the

actual distance may be smaller or greater de‐

pending on the driving speed, road conditions,

external temperature, cargo load, etc.

Declaration according to NHTSA/

FMVSS 138 Tire Pressure Monitoring

System

Continued driving with a flat tire

Drive moderately and do not exceed a

speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.

Each tire, including the spare (if provided)

should be checked monthly when cold and in‐

flated to the inflation pressure recommended by

the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard

or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has

tires of a different size than the size indicated on

the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure la‐

bel, you should determine the proper tire infla‐

tion pressure for those tires.) As an added safety

feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a

tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that il‐

luminates a low tire pressure telltale when one

A loss of tire inflation pressure results in a

change in the handling characteristics, e.g., re‐

duced lane stability during braking, a longer

braking distance and altered self-steering prop‐

erties.◀

Final tire failure

Vibrations or loud noises while driving can

indicate the final failure of the tire. Reduce speed

and stop; otherwise, pieces of the tire could

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or more of your tires is significantly under-in‐

flated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure

telltale illuminates, you should stop and check

your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them

to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly

under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat

and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also

reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and

may affect the vehicle's handling and stopping

ability. Please note that the TPMS is not a sub‐

stitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the

driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire

pressure, evenifunder-inflationhasnotreached

the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low

tire pressure telltale. Your vehicle has also been

equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to

indicate when the system is not operating prop‐

erly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is com‐

bined with the low tire pressure telltale. When

thesystemdetectsa malfunction, thetelltalewill

flash for approximately one minute and then re‐

main continuously illuminated. This sequence

will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups

as long as the malfunction exists. When the mal‐

function indicator is illuminated, the system may

not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure

as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for

a variety of reasons, including the installation of

replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the

vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning

properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction

telltale after replacing one or more tires or

Switching on/off

Press the button.

▷

On: the LED lights up.

Off: the LED goes out.

The system can issue warnings at speeds above

approx. 40 mph/65 km/h.

The state is stored for the remote control cur‐

rently in use.

Display

▷

Lines, arrow 1: the system is activated.

wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the re‐

placement or alternate tires and wheels allow

the TPMS to continue to function properly.

Arrows, arrow 2: at least one lane marking

was detected and warnings can be issued.

Issued warning

Lane departure warning*

If you leave the lane and if a lane marking has

been detected, the steering wheel begins vi‐

brating.

The concept

This system issues a warning at speeds above

approx. 40 mph/65 km/h if the vehicle is about

to leave the lane on roads with lane markings.

If the turn signal is set before changing the lane,

a warning is not issued.

End of warning

The steering wheel begins vibrating gently.

The warning ends:

The system does not provide a warning if the

turn signal is set before leaving the lane.

▷

Automatically after approx. 3 seconds.

When returning to your own lane.

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▷

When braking hard.

Camera

When using the turn signal.

System limits

Personal responsibility

The system cannot serve as a substitute

for the driver's personal judgment of the course

of the road and the traffic situation.

In the event of a warning, do not jerk the steering

wheel, as you may lose control of the vehicle.◀

The camera is located on the front of the interior

rearview mirror.

The system may not be fully functional in the

following situations:

Keep the area in front of the interior rearview

mirror clear.

▷

In heavy fog, rain or snowfall.

In the event of worn, poorly visible, merging,

diverging, or multiple lane markings such as

in construction areas.

Active Blind Spot Detection*

▷

When lane markings are covered in snow,

ice, dirt or water.

The concept

▷

In tight curves or on narrow lanes.

When the lane markings are covered by ob‐

jects.

▷

When driving very close to the vehicle in

front of you.

▷

When driving toward bright lights.

When the windshield in front of the interior

rearview mirror is fogged over, dirty or cov‐

ered with stickers, etc.

Two radar sensors below the rear bumper mon‐

itor the area behind and next to the vehicle at

speeds above approx. 30 mph/50 km/h.

Malfunctions

Thesystemindicateswhethertherearevehicles

in the blind spot, arrow 1, or approaching from

behind on the adjacent lane, arrow 2.

Steering wheel vibration

Frequent activation of the steering wheel vibra‐

tion causes the system to overheat.

The lamp in the exterior mirror housing lights up

dimly.

This causes the lane departure warning to be‐

come deactivated.

Before you change lanes after setting the turn

signal, the system issues a warning in the situa‐

tions described above.

Let the system cool and reactivate it by pressing

the button.

The lamp in the housing of the exterior mirror

flashes and the steering wheel vibrates.

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Switching on/off

System limits

Personal responsibility

The system cannot serve as a substitute

for the driver's personal judgment of the traffic

situation.

In the event of a warning, do not jerk the steering

wheel, as you may lose control over the vehi‐

cle.◀

The system may not be fully functional in the

following situations:

Press the button.

▷

When a vehicle is approaching at a speed

much faster than your own.

▷

On: the LED lights up.

Off: the LED goes out.

▷

In heavy fog, rain or snowfall.

In tight curves or on narrow lanes.

The system can issue warnings at speeds above

approx. 30 mph/50 km/h.

Malfunctions

The state is stored for the remote control cur‐

rently in use.

Steering wheel vibration

Frequent activation of the steering wheel vibra‐

tion causes the system to overheat.

Display

This causes Active Blind Spot Detection to be‐

come deactivated.

Let the system cool and reactivate it by pressing

the button.

Radar sensors

Information stage

The dimmed lamp in the mirror housing indi‐

cates when there are vehicles in the blind spot

or approaching from behind.

Warning

If the turn signal is set while a vehicle is in the

critical zone, the steering wheel vibrates briefly

and the lamp in the mirror housing flashes

brightly.

The radar sensors are located under the rear

bumper.

The system may not be fully functional in the

following situations:

The warning stops when the turn signal is

switched off, or the other vehicle leaves the crit‐

ical zone.

▷

Dirty or icy bumper.

Stickers on the bumper.

A Check Control message is displayed when the

system is not fully functional.

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For US owners only

The transmitter and receiver units comply with

part 15 of the FCC/Federal Communication

Commission regulations. Operation is governed

by the following:

FCC ID:

▷

NBG009014A.

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 interfer‐

ence, and

▷

this device must accept any interference re‐

ceived, 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.

Brake force display*

The concept

▷

During normal brake application, the outer

brake lamps light up.

During heavy brake application, the inner

brake lamps light up in addition.

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