Get CONTROLS -> Seats, mirrors, and steering wheel Guide for BMW 7 Series 4 Door Sixth Generation (2015-2021)

Seats, mirrors, and steering wheel

CONTROLS

Seats, mirrors, and steering wheel

Safety information

Vehicle features and

options

Warning

This chapter describes all standard, country-spe‐

cific and optional features offered with the series.

It also describes features and functions that are

not necessarily available in your vehicle, e.g., due

to the selected options or country versions. This

also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐

tems. When using these functions and systems,

the applicable laws and regulations must be ob‐

served.

Seat adjustments while driving can lead to un‐

expected movements of the seat. Vehicle con‐

trol could be lost. There is a risk of accident.

Only adjust the seat on the driver's side when

the vehicle is stationary.

Warning

With a backrest inclined too far to the rear, the

efficacy of the safety belt can no longer be en‐

sured. There is a risk of sliding under the safety

belt in an accident. There is a risk of injuries or

danger to life. Adjust the seat prior to starting

the trip. Adjust the backrest so that it is in the

most upright position as possible and do not

adjust again while driving.

Sitting safely

An ideal seating position that meets the needs of

the occupants can make a vital contribution to

relaxed, fatigue-free driving.

In the event of an accident, the correct seating

position plays an important role. Follow the infor‐

mation in the following chapters:

Warning

▷ Seats, refer to page 109.

There is a risk of jamming when moving the

seats. There is a risk of injury or risk of damage

to property. Make sure that the area of move‐

ment of the seat is clear prior to any adjust‐

ment.

▷ Safety belts, refer to page 114.

▷ Head restraints, refer to page 116.

▷ Airbags, refer to page 174.

Front seats

General information

The seat adjustment for the driver's seat is

stored for the driver profile, refer to page 94, cur‐

rently used. When a driver profile is selected, the

stored position is called up automatically.

The current seat position can be stored using

the memory function, refer to page 122.

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Seats, mirrors, and steering wheel

CONTROLS

Overview

Seat tilt

Move switch up or down.

1

2

3

4

5

6

Thigh support

Forward/backward, height, seat tilt

Upper backrest

Backrest tilt

Backrest width

Lumbar support

Backrest tilt, head restraint

Forward/backward

Move switch forward or backward.

Thigh support

Push switch forward or backward.

Height

Push switch forward or backward.

Lumbar support

Concept

The curvature of the seat backrest can be ad‐

justed in a way that it supports the lumbar region

Push switch up or down.

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Seats, mirrors, and steering wheel

CONTROLS

of the spine. The lower back and the spine are

supported for upright posture.

Adjusting

▷ Press the front/rear section of

the button:

The curvature is increased/

decreased.

▷ Press the upper/lower section

of the button:

▷ Press the front section of the button:

The upper backrest is inclined forward.

▷ Press the rear section of the button:

The upper backrest is inclined backward.

The curvature is shifted up/

down.

Backrest width

Concept

Gentleman function

Concept

Adjusting the backrest width may improve lateral

support when taking corners.

The front passenger seat can be adjusted with

the switches of the driver's seat, for instance to

increase the legroom in the rear.

General information

You can change the backrest width by adjusting

the side wings of the backrest.

Overview

To make it easier to enter and exit the vehicle,

the backrest width temporarily opens fully.

Adjusting

▷ Press the front section of the

button:

The backrest width de‐

creases.

▷ Press the rear section of the

button:

Gentleman function

The backrest width increases.

Switching on

Upper backrest

Concept

1.

Press the button. The LED lights up.

2. Adjust the front passenger seat on the driv‐

er's seat.

The upper backrest supports the back in the

shoulder area. A correct setting leads to a re‐

laxed seating position and reduces strain on the

shoulder muscles.

If needed, store the memory position, refer to

page 122, for the front passenger seat.

111

Seats, mirrors, and steering wheel

CONTROLS

Switching off

4

5

6

7

Folding the footrest out/in

Press and hold the button until the LED

goes out.

Forward/backward, seat tilt

Backrest tilt

The function deactivates itself automatically after

some time.

Adjust front passenger seat

Resetting to standard position

BMW Touch Command

The front passenger seat can also be operated

using BMW Touch Command.

Rear seats

General information

The seat adjustment switches are located on the

center armrest of the rear seats.

Press the button to reset to standard

position.

If the safety switch, refer to page 104, is pressed,

the seats cannot be adjusted.

The process is canceled if the button is pressed

again.

Safety information

Upper backrest

Concept

The upper backrest supports the back in the

shoulder area. A correct setting leads to a re‐

laxed seating position and reduces strain on the

shoulder muscles.

Warning

There is a risk of jamming when folding down

the center armrest in the rear. There is a risk of

injury. Make sure that the area of movement of

the center armrest is clear during folding down.

Overview

Adjusting

1

2

3

Resetting to standard position

Head restraint, upper backrest

Lumbar support

Push switch forward or backward.

112

Seats, mirrors, and steering wheel

CONTROLS

Lumbar support

Concept

Forward/backward

The curvature of the seat backrest can be ad‐

justed in a way that it supports the lumbar region

of the spine. The lower back and the spine are

supported for upright posture.

Adjusting

▷ Press the front/rear section of

the button:

Push switch forward or backward.

The curvature is increased/

decreased.

Seat tilt

▷ Press the upper/lower section

of the button:

The curvature is shifted up/

down.

Folding the footrest out/in

General information

The distance between the front passenger seat

and the rear seat must be sufficiently large to un‐

fold the footrest on the backrest of the front pas‐

senger seat.

Move switch up or down.

Backrest tilt

Adjusting

Press the upper or lower section

of the button.

Move switch forward or backward.

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Seats, mirrors, and steering wheel

CONTROLS

Adjusting the front passenger

seat from the rear

Safety belts

Number of safety belts and

safety belt buckles

The vehicle is fitted with four or five safety belts

to ensure occupants' safety. However, they can

only offer protection when adjusted correctly.

Concept

The front passenger seat can be operated from

the rear, for instance to increase the legroom in

the rear.

The two outer safety belt buckles of the rear

seats are intended for the persons sitting on the

left and right.

General information

The switch for adjusting the upper backrest, re‐

fer to page 112, can be used to set the angle of

the screen in the rear on the passenger side.

The center safety belt buckle of the rear seats is

intended for the person sitting in the middle.

Adjusting

General information

Always make sure that safety belts are being

worn by the occupants before driving off. The

airbags supplement the safety belts as an addi‐

tional safety device. The airbags are not a substi‐

tute for safety belts.

The upper shoulder strap's anchorage point will

be correct for adult seat occupants of every build

if the seat is correctly adjusted.

1.

Press the button.

Safety information

2. Adjust the front passenger seat, for instance

forward/back.

Warning

Use of a safety belt to buckle more than one

person will potentially defeat the ability of the

safety belt to serve its protective function.

There is a risk of injuries or danger to life. Do

not allow more than one person to wear a sin‐

gle safety belt. Infants and children are not al‐

lowed on an occupant's lap, but must be trans‐

ported and secured in designated child

restraint systems.

3.

Press the button to deactivate the

function.

The function deactivates itself automatically after

some time.

BMW Touch Command

The rear seats can also be operated via BMW

Touch Command.

Warning

The efficacy of safety gear, including safety

belts, can be limited or lost when safety belts

are fastened incorrectly. An incorrectly fastened

safety belt can cause additional injuries, for in‐

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Seats, mirrors, and steering wheel

CONTROLS

stance in the event of an accident or during

braking and evasive maneuvers. There is a risk

of injuries or danger to life. Make sure that all

occupants are wearing safety belts correctly.

2. Insert the tongue plate into the safety belt

buckle. The safety belt buckle must engage

audibly.

Warning

The efficacy of safety gear, including safety

belts, may not be fully functional or fail in the

following situations:

▷ The safety belts or safety belt buckles are

damaged, soiled, or changed in any other

way.

When the safety belt is fastened, the driver's and

passenger's belt straps are automatically tight‐

ened once after driving away.

▷ Belt tensioners or belt retractors were

modified.

Safety belts can be imperceptibly damaged in

the event of an accident. There is a risk of inju‐

ries or danger to life. Do not modify safety belts,

safety belt buckles, belt tensioners, belt retrac‐

tors or belt anchors and keep them clean. Have

the safety belts checked after an accident at

the dealer’s service center or another qualified

service center or repair shop.

Unbuckling the safety belt

1. Hold the safety belt firmly.

2. Press the red button in the safety belt buckle.

3. Guide the safety belt back into its roll-up

mechanism.

Belt loop

Correct use of safety belts

▷ Wear the safety belt twist-free and tight to

your body over your lap and shoulders.

▷ Wear the safety belt deep on your hips over

your lap. The safety belt may not press on

your stomach.

▷ Do not rub the safety belt against sharp

edges, or guide it or jam it in across hard or

fragile objects.

When fastening the safety belts on the rear

seats, make sure that the belt loop is closed.

▷ Avoid thick clothing.

▷ Re-tighten the safety belt frequently upward

around your upper body.

Safety belt reminder for driver's

seat and front passenger seat

Buckling the safety belt

1. Guide the safety belt slowly over shoulder

and hip to put it on.

Display in the instrument cluster

The indicator light lights up and a signal

sounds. Make sure that the safety belts

are positioned correctly. The safety belt

115

Seats, mirrors, and steering wheel

CONTROLS

reminder can also be activated if objects are

placed on the front passenger seat.

Safety information

Warning

Safety belt reminder for rear

seats

A missing protective effect due to removed or

not correctly adjusted head restraints can

cause injuries in the head and neck area. There

is a risk of injury.

General information

The safety belt reminder is automatically acti‐

vated each time the engine starts.

▷ Before driving, install the removed head

restraints on the occupied seats.

The safety belt reminder is also activated when a

passenger unbuckles a rear seat safety belt dur‐

ing the trip.

▷ Adjust the head restraint so its center sup‐

ports the back of the head at as close to

eye level as possible.

▷ Adjust the distance so that the head re‐

straint is as close as possible to the back

of the head. Adjust the distance via the

backrest tilt as needed.

Display in the instrument cluster

The indicator light in the instrument cluster illu‐

minates after the engine is started.

Symbol Description

Warning

Green: the safety belt is buckled on

the corresponding rear seat.

Body parts can be jammed when moving the

head restraint. There is a risk of injury. Make

sure that the area of movement is clear when

moving the head restraint.

Red: the safety belt is not buckled on

the corresponding rear seat.

Safety mode

In critical situations, for instance during an emer‐

gency stop, the front safety belts tighten auto‐

matically.

Warning

Objects on the head restraint reduce the pro‐

tective effect in the head and neck area. There

is a risk of injury.

If the situation passes without an accident occur‐

ring, the belt tension relaxes.

▷ Do not use seat or head restraint covers.

▷ Do not hang objects, for instance clothes

hangers, directly on the head restraint.

If the belt tension does not loosen automatically,

stop the vehicle and unbuckle the safety belt us‐

ing the red button in the safety belt buckle. Fas‐

ten the safety belt before continuing on your trip.

▷ Only use accessories that have been de‐

termined to be safe for attachment to a

head restraint.

▷ Do not use any accessories, for instance

pillows, while driving.

Front head restraints

General information

The current head restraint position can be stored

using the memory function, refer to page 122.

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.

116

Seats, mirrors, and steering wheel

CONTROLS

Have the active head restraint checked and if

necessary replaced in the case of damage or if it

was exposed to an accident.

Adjusting the side extensions

Adjusting the height

Fold the side extensions on the head restraint

forward for increased lateral support in the rest‐

ing position.

Push switch up or down.

Removing

If the vehicle is equipped with Executive Lounge

Seating: the height of the head restraint on the

front passenger side cannot be adjusted.

The head restraints cannot be removed.

Rear head restraints

Safety information

Warning

Adjusting the distance: manual

head restraints

A missing protective effect due to removed or

not correctly adjusted head restraints can

cause injuries in the head and neck area. There

is a risk of injury.

▷ Before driving, install the removed head

restraints on the occupied seats.

▷ Adjust the head restraint so its center sup‐

ports the back of the head at as close to

eye level as possible.

▷ Back: press the button and push the head re‐

straint toward the rear.

▷ Forward: pull the head restraint toward the

front.

▷ Adjust the distance so that the head re‐

straint is as close as possible to the back

of the head. Adjust the distance via the

backrest tilt as needed.

After setting the distance, make sure that the

head restraint engages correctly.

Adjusting the distance: power

head restraints

The head restraint is automatically repositioned

when the upper backrest is adjusted.

117

Seats, mirrors, and steering wheel

CONTROLS

Warning

Adjusting the height: manual

head restraints

Body parts can be jammed when moving the

head restraint. There is a risk of injury. Make

sure that the area of movement is clear when

moving the head restraint.

Warning

Objects on the head restraint reduce the pro‐

tective effect in the head and neck area. There

is a risk of injury.

The height of the outer head restraints can be

adjusted.

▷ Do not use seat or head restraint covers.

▷ To lower: press the button, arrow 1, and push

the head restraint down.

▷ Do not hang objects, for instance clothes

hangers, directly on the head restraint.

▷ To raise: push the head restraint up.

▷ Only use accessories that have been de‐

termined to be safe for attachment to a

head restraint.

After setting the height, make sure that the head

restraint engages correctly.

▷ Do not use any accessories, for instance

pillows, while driving.

Adjusting the height: power head

restraints

Folding down the center head

restraint

General information

The height adjustment of the head restraint is

deactivated when the safety switch for the rear

windows, refer to page 104, has been pressed.

To improve the view to the rear, the center head

restraint can be folded to the rear. Only push the

head restraint down if no one will be sitting in the

center seat.

Switches in the vehicle

▷ To the rear: press the button, arrow 1, and

fold the head restraint backward.

Push the switch in the center armrest up or

down.

▷ Forward: fold the head restraint toward the

front as far as it will go. Make sure that the

head restraint engages correctly.

118

Seats, mirrors, and steering wheel

CONTROLS

3. Move the head restraint into the topmost po‐

sition.

Adjusting the side extensions

4. Close the pushbutton on the lower tab and

the pushbutton on the bottom of the head re‐

straint.

Fold the side extensions on the head restraint

forward for increased lateral support in the rest‐

ing position.

Removing

The head restraints cannot be removed.

Exterior mirrors

Cushions for head restraints in

the rear

Only use the pillow when the vehicle is switched

off.

General information

The mirror on the front passenger side is more

curved than the driver's side mirror.

The mirror setting is stored for the driver profile,

refer to page 94, currently in use. When a driver

profile is selected, the stored position is called up

automatically.

1. Pull the upper tab through the loop on the

top of the head restraint.

The current exterior mirror position can be stored

using the memory function, refer to page 122.

Safety information

Warning

Objects reflected in the mirror are closer than

they appear. The distance to the traffic behind

could be incorrectly estimated, for instance

while changing lanes. There is a risk of acci‐

dent. Estimate the distance to the traffic behind

by looking over your shoulder.

2. Close both pushbuttons.

119

Seats, mirrors, and steering wheel

CONTROLS

Folding the mirrors in and out is helpful in the fol‐

lowing situations:

Overview

▷ In vehicle washes.

▷ On narrow roads.

Mirrors that were folded in are folded out auto‐

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

Automatic heating

Both exterior mirrors are automatically heated as

needed and when the drive-ready state is

switched on.

1

2

3

Adjusting

Selecting a mirror, Automatic Curb Monitor

Folding in and out

Automatic dimming feature

The exterior mirror on the driver's side is auto‐

matically dimmed. Photocells in the car's interior

mirror, refer to page 121, are used to control

this.

Adjusting electrically

Press the button.

The selected mirror moves along with the

button movement.

Automatic Curb Monitor, exterior

mirror

Selecting a mirror

Concept

To change over to the other mirror:

Slide the switch.

If reverse gear is engaged, the mirror glass on

the front passenger side is tilted downward. This

improves your view of the curb and other format‐

ting issue - low-lying obstacles when parking,

for instance.

Malfunction

In case of an electrical malfunction, adjust the

mirror by pressing the edges of the mirror glass.

Activating

Folding in and out

1.

slide the switch to the driver's side

mirror position.

2. Engage selector lever position R.

NOTICE

Depending on the vehicle width, the vehicle

can be damaged in vehicle washes. There is a

risk of damage to property. Before washing,

fold in the mirrors by hand or with the button.

Deactivating

Slide the switch to the passenger's side

mirror position.

Press the button.

Folding is only possible up to a speed of approx.

15 mph/20 km/h.

120

Seats, mirrors, and steering wheel

CONTROLS

Folding up

Press the vanity mirror up.

Interior mirror

General information

The interior mirror is dimmed automatically.

Photocells are used for control:

▷ In the mirror glass.

Steering wheel

Safety information

Warning

▷ On the back of the mirror.

Overview

Steering wheel adjustments while driving can

lead to unexpected steering wheel movements.

Vehicle control could be lost. There is a risk of

accident. Adjustng the steering wheel while the

vehicle is stationary only.

Electric steering wheel

adjustment

General information

Functional requirements

▷ Keep the photocells clean.

The steering wheel setting is stored for the driver

profile, refer to page 94, currently in use. When a

driver profile is selected, the position is accessed

automatically when the drive-ready state is

switched on.

▷ Do not cover the area between the interior

mirror and the windshield.

The current steering wheel position can be

stored using the memory function, refer to

page 122.

Rear vanity mirror

Folding down

Adjusting

Press the vanity mirror.

Move the steering wheel to the preferred height

and angle to suit your seating position by press‐

ing the switch.

The vanity mirror folds down. The angle can be

adjusted by hand.

121

Seats, mirrors, and steering wheel

CONTROLS

Assistance getting in and out

General information

The steering wheel temporarily moves into the

highest position to make it easier to enter and

exit the vehicle.

Two memory locations with different settings

can be set for each driver profile, refer to

page 94.

The following settings are not stored:

▷ Backrest width.

Heated steering wheel

Overview

▷ Lumbar support.

▷ Footrest.

Safety information

Warning

Using the memory function while driving can

lead to unexpected seat or steering wheel

movements. Vehicle control could be lost.

There is a risk of accident. Only retrieve the

memory function when the vehicle is stationary.

Button for heated steering wheel

Switching on/off

Warning

Press the button.

There is a risk of jamming when moving the

seats. There is a risk of injury or risk of damage

to property. Make sure that the area of move‐

ment of the seat is clear prior to any adjust‐

ment.

A Check Control message is displayed.

If the trip is resumed within approx. 15 minutes

after an intermediate stop, the heated steering

wheel activates automatically if the function was

switched on at the end of the last trip.

Overview

Front

Memory function

Concept

The following settings can be stored and, if nec‐

essary, retrieved using the memory function:

▷ Seat position.

▷ Exterior mirror position.

▷ Steering wheel position.

▷ Height of the Head-up Display.

The memory buttons are located on the front

doors.

122

Seats, mirrors, and steering wheel

CONTROLS

fort to the rear passenger on the passenger's

side.

Rear

General information

The following settings are applied automatically

on system activation:

▷ The front passenger seat moves forward and

adjusts the height, if necessary.

▷ The backrest and head restraint of the front

passenger seat are inclined forward.

The memory buttons are located on the rear

doors.

▷ The tilt of the screen in the rear is adjusted to

the backrest incline of the front passenger

seat.

Storing

1. Set the desired position.

▷ The footrest on the backrest of the front pas‐

senger seat folds out.

▷ The backrest reclines to the back.

2.

Press the button. The writing on the

button lights up.

The adjusted end position can be manually ad‐

justed, refer to page 112, and if required stored

using the memory function, refer to page 122.

3. Press desired button 1 or 2 while the LED is

lit. A signal sounds.

Safety information

Calling up settings

Press the desired button 1 or 2.

The stored position is called up.

Warning

If the front passenger seat is set too far forward,

the view of the exterior mirror on the front pas‐

senger side may be limited. There is a risk of

accident. Adjust the front passenger seat such

that the view on the exterior mirror is not ob‐

structed.

The procedure stops when a switch for setting

the seat is pressed or one of the memory but‐

tons is pressed again.

Once underway, adjustment of the seat position

on the driver's side is disabled after a short while.

BMW Touch Command

The memory function can also be operated on

the front passenger seat and in the rear via BMW

Touch Command.

Overview

Executive Lounge Seating

Concept

The Executive Lounge Seating function offers

maximum legroom and increased traveling com‐

123

Seats, mirrors, and steering wheel

CONTROLS

Executive Lounge Seating

Overview

Front

Switching on

Press the button.

Resetting to standard position

Massage function

Rear

Press the button to reset to standard

position.

The process is canceled if the button is pressed

again.

Massage function

Concept

Depending on the program, the massage func‐

tion ensures relaxed muscles and better blood

circulation and can avoid fatigue.

Switching on

Press the button once for each intensity

level.

General information

Eight different massage programs can be se‐

lected:

The maximum intensity level is reached when

three LEDs are lit.

▷ Pelvis activation.

Switching off

▷ Upper body activation.

▷ Full body activation.

▷ Back massage.

Press and hold the button until the

LEDs go out.

▷ Shoulder massage.

▷ Lumbar massage.

▷ Upper body training.

▷ Full body training.

124

Seats, mirrors, and steering wheel

CONTROLS

Rear

Adjusting the massage program

Via iDrive:

1. "CAR"

2. "Settings"

3. "Seat comfort"

4. Select desired seat.

5. "Seat massage"

6. Select the desired setting.

Seat and armrest heating

Switching on

Concept

Press the button once for each temper‐

ature level.

The system heats seats and armrests as

needed.

The maximum temperature is reached when

three LEDs are lit.

General information

Seat heating can also be used without armrest

heating. Deactivate the armrest heating as

needed.

When ECO PRO is activated, refer to page 318,

the heating output is reduced.

If the trip is continued within approx. 15 minutes

after a stop, seat and armrest heating is activated

automatically with the temperature selected last.

Overview

Front

Switching off

Press and hold the button until the bar

display on the climate control display

goes out.

Seat heating distribution

The heating action in the seat cushion and the

seat backrest can be distributed in different

ways.

Via iDrive:

Seat and armrest heating

1. "CAR"

2. "Settings"

3. "Climate control"

4. Select a menu item:

▷ "Seat heating distribution"

125

Seats, mirrors, and steering wheel

CONTROLS

▷ "Seat heating"

Active seat ventilation

▷ "Seat and armrest heating"

▷ "Seat and surface heating"

▷ "Seat/steering wheel heating"

▷ "Seat climate control"

Rear

▷ "Seat and surfaces climate control"

▷ "Seat climate/steer. wheel heating"

5. Select desired seat.

6. Press the Controller and turn it to set the seat

heating distribution.

Switching armrest heating on/off

Via iDrive:

Active seat ventilation

1. "CAR"

Switching on

2. "Settings"

Press the button once for each ventila‐

3. "Climate control"

tion level.

4. "Seat and armrest heating"

5. Select desired seat.

6. "Heat armrests together with seat"

The maximum temperature is reached when

three LEDs are lit.

The ventilation switches back by one level after a

short time.

Active seat ventilation

Switching off

Concept

Integrated fans in the seat and armrest areas

provide a comfortable seat temperature.

Press and hold the button until the bar

display on the climate control display

goes out.

Overview

Front

126

CONTROLS -> Seats, mirrors, and steering wheel for Your BMW 7 Series 4 Door Sixth Generation (2015-2021)

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