Get Controls -> Technology for comfort, convenience and safety Guide for BMW M6 4 Door Second Generation (2005-2010)

Technology for comfort, convenience and

safety

Switching off manually

PDC Park Distance Control*

Press the button again; the LED goes out.

The concept

After driving approx. 165 ft/50 m or at over

The PDC assists you when you are parking.

Acoustic signals and an optical display* alert

you to the approach of an object from behind

your vehicle. To measure the distance, there

are four ultrasonic sensors in each bumper.

The range of these sensors is approx. 7 ft/2 m.

However, an acoustic warning first sound for

the sensors at the front and at the two rear cor-

ners at approx. 24 in/60 cm, and for the center

rear sensors at approx. 5 ft/1.50 m.

approx. 20 mph/30 km/h, the system is

switched off and the LED goes out. You can

reactivate the system manually as needed.

Signal tones

An intermittent signal indicates the distance of

the vehicle from an object being approached.

Thus, an object detected to the left rear of the

vehicle will be indicated by a signal tone from

the left rear speaker, etc. As the distance

between vehicle and object decreases, the

intervals between the tones become shorter. If

the distance to the nearest object falls to below

roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then a continuous tone

sounds.

PDC is a parking aid that can indicate the

presence of objects when they are being

approached slowly, as is usually the case when

parking. Avoid approaching an object at high

speed; otherwise, the physical circumstances

could cause the system warning to be activated

too late.<

An intermittent tone is interrupted after approx.

3 seconds:

>

if you remain in front of an object that was

only detected by one of the corner sensors

Automatic switch-on

The system starts to operate automatically

approx. 1 second after you move the selector

lever into the R position with the engine running

or the ignition switched on.

>

if you drive parallel to a wall

Malfunction

The LED in the button flashes and a message

appears on the Control Display. PDC is mal-

functioning. Have the system checked.

Wait this short period before driving.

Switching on manually

As a preventive measure, keep the sensors

clean and free of ice or snow in order to ensure

that they will continue to operate effectively. Do

not spray the sensors with high-pressure clean-

ers for long periods and maintain a distance of

at least 4 in/10 cm to them.

Exhaust gases near the rear sensors can cause

a signal tone to sound.

PDC with visual warning*

Press the button; the LED lights up.

You can also enjoy the option of having the sys-

tem show the approach to an object on the

Control Display. Objects that are farther away

70

are already shown there before a signal tone

sounds. The setting is stored for the remote

control currently in use.

Driving stability control

systems

Your BMW is equipped with an extended array

of systems designed to enhance and maintain

vehicle stability under extreme conditions.

iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to

page 16.

1. Open the start menu.

2. Press the controller to open the menu.

ABS Antilock Brake System

3. Select "Vehicle settings" and press the

controller.

ABS prevents the wheels from locking during

braking. Safe steering response is maintained

even during hard braking. This increases active

driving safety.

4. Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the

controller until "PDC" is selected and press

the controller.

ABS is operational every time you start the

engine. For information on safe braking, refer to

page 99.

CBC Cornering Brake Control

This system provides further enhancements to

vehicle stability and steering response when

braking while cornering or when braking during

a lane change.

Electronic brake-force distribution

5. Select "PDC display on" and press the con-

troller.

This system controls the brake system's appli-

cation pressure at the rear wheels to ensure

stable deceleration.

The PDC screen is activated.

The display appears on the Control Display as

soon as PDC is activated.

DBC Dynamic Brake Control

When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system

automatically produces the maximum braking

force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-

est possible braking distance during full brak-

ing. This system exploits all of the benefits pro-

vided by ABS.

System limits

Even with PDC, final responsibility for

estimating the distance between the

vehicle and any obstacles always remains with

the driver. Even when sensors are involved,

there is a blind spot in which objects cannot be

detected. This applies especially in those cases

where the system approaches the physical con-

straints of ultrasonic measurement, as occurs

with tow bars and trailer couplings, and in the

vicinity of thin or wedge-shaped objects. Low

objects already displayed, e.g. a curb, can dis-

appear from the detection area of the sensors

again before a continuous tone sounds. Higher,

protruding objects, e.g. ledges, cannot be

detected. Loud noises from outside and inside

the vehicle may prevent you from hearing the

PDC signal tone.<

Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal

for the duration of the full braking.

DSC Dynamic Stability Control

DSC optimizes the vehicle stability and traction.

It also detects unstable driving states such as

understeering and oversteering, and helps

keep the vehicle on course within the physical

limits by reducing the engine output and by

braking at the wheels.

The DSC is operational every time you start the

engine.

71

The laws of physics cannot be repealed,

even with DSC. An appropriate driving

With the ignition switched on you can change

the settings of MDrive on the Control Display.

style always remains the responsibility of the

driver. Do not reduce the additional safety mar-

gin of the system by taking risks.<

iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to

page 16.

1. Open the start menu.

2. Press the controller to open the menu.

DSC indicator lamp

3. Select "Vehicle settings" and press the

controller.

The indicator lamp goes out shortly

after the engine is started.

The indicator lamp flashes: DSC is con-

trolling the drive forces and brake forces.

The indicator lamp stays lit: DSC is deactivated.

4. Select "MDrive" and press the controller.

5. Select "DSC" and press the controller.

6. Select "M Dynamic Mode" and press the

controller.

M Dynamic Mode MDM

The M Dynamic Mode is a mode of the DSC

Dynamic Stability Control. It enables driving

with greater longitudinal and lateral accelera-

tion on dry road surfaces, however with limited

vehicle stability. The system does not provide

stabilizing intervention by reducing the engine

output and braking at the wheels until the abso-

lute driving limit is reached. Steering correc-

tions by the driver may also be required in this

driving state.

Deactivating MDM again

The M Dynamic Mode is deactivated each time

the engine is started.

Press the

button on the steering wheel

again; the MDM indicator lamp goes out.

With the M Dynamic Mode activated, sta-

bilizing interventions are only carried out

to a reduced degree.<

Switching off DSC

To maintain vehicle stability, drive with

DSC activated and the M Dynamic Mode

deactivated whenever possible.<

MDM indicator lamp

The indicator lamp goes out shortly

after the engine is started. The indica-

tor lamp stays lit: M Dynamic Mode is

activated.

The indicator lamp lights up continuously and

the DSC indicator lamp flashes: the M Dynamic

Mode is active and controls the drive and brak-

ing forces.

Press the DSC button; the DSC indicator lamp

lights up continuously. DSC and MDM are

deactivated.

A message appears on the Control Display.

Please note any supplementary information

that appears there.

Activating MDM

You activate the M Dynamic Mode with the

button on the steering wheel, refer to MDrive on

page 46.

When rocking free and starting off from deep

snow or on loose road surfaces, it may be prac-

tical to briefly deactivate DSC.

72

To maintain vehicle stability, always drive

with the system switched on when possi-

Selecting program

ble.<

Reactivating DSC

Press the DSC button; the indicator lamp in the

instrument cluster goes out.

You can also activate and deactivate DSC with

the

button on the steering wheel, refer to

MDrive on page 46.

Press the EDC button repeatedly:

>

"Comfort": no LED lights up in the button.

"Normal": one LED lights up in the button.

"Sport": both LEDs light up in the button.

EDC Electronic Damping

Control

The concept

The last selected program is active each time

the engine is started.

If the influencing variables such as road surface

quality or operating conditions such as steer-

ing, braking etc. change, the damping automat-

ically adjusts to the new conditions within a

fraction of a second.

You can also activate your preferred program

with the

button on the steering wheel, refer

to MDrive on page 46.

You can choose from three programs.

FTM Flat Tire Monitor

"Comfort" program

The concept

Select the "Comfort" program if you want com-

fort-oriented coordination of shock absorbers

and steering.

The Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the infla-

tion pressures in the tires as you drive. The sys-

tem provides an alert whenever the inflation

pressure drops significantly in relation to the

pressure in another tire.

"Normal" program

The "Normal" program offers a balanced mix-

ture of the comfort and the sport program.

In the event of a pressure loss, the rolling radius

and therefore the rotation speed of the wheels

change. This change is detected and signaled

as a flat tire.

"Sport" program

Select the "Sport" program if you want a con-

sistently sporty coordination of shock absorb-

ers and steering.

Functional requirement

To ensure the reliable signaling of a flat tire, the

system must be initialized at the correct tire

inflation pressure.

The initialization must be repeated after

every correction of the tire inflation pres-

sure and after every tire or wheel change.<

73

1. Press the

button.

System limits

This opens the start menu.

The Flat Tire Monitor cannot indicate

sudden severe tire damage caused by

outside factors and does not detect a natural,

even pressure drop in all four tires.<

2. Press the controller to open the menu.

3. Select "Vehicle settings" and press the

controller.

In the following situations, the system could be

delayed or malfunction:

4. Select "FTM" and press the controller.

>

System has not been initialized

Driving on snow-covered or slippery roads

Sporty driving style: slip in the drive wheels,

high lateral acceleration

>

Driving with snow chains*

Initializing system

The initialization finishes during driving,

which can be interrupted at any time.

When driving resumes, the initialization is auto-

matically continued.

Do not initialize the system when driving with

snow chains*.<

5. Start the engine, but do not start driving.

6. Select "Set tire pressure" and press the

controller.

7. Select "Yes" and press the controller.

With the button in the center console:

1. Start the engine, but do not start driving.

2. Press the button at least 4 seconds, how-

ever not longer than 2 minutes. After

releasing the button, the warning lamp in

the instrument cluster lights up yellow for a

few seconds. Warning lamp, refer to Indica-

tion of a flat tire. The message "Initializing

FTM ..." appears on the Control Display for

a few seconds.

The message "Initializing..." is displayed for

a few seconds. The warning lamp in the

instrument cluster lights up yellow for a few

seconds.

8. Start to drive.

The initialization finishes during driving

without feedback.

Indication of a flat tire

The warning lamp lights up in red. A

message appears on the Control Dis-

play. In addition, an acoustic signal

sounds. There is a flat tire or extensive inflation

pressure loss.

3. Start to drive. The initialization finishes dur-

ing driving without feedback.

Using iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to

page 16:

74

1. Reduce speed and stop the vehicle care-

fully. Avoid sudden braking and steering

maneuvers.

Brake force display

2. Identify damaged tire. To do this, check the

tire inflation pressure using the M Mobility

System, refer to Producing tire inflation

pressure on page 187.

3. Repair flat tire with M Mobility System, refer

to page 185, or replace the damaged wheel,

refer to Changing wheels on page 187.

>

Left-hand picture: normal braking.

Right-hand picture: heavy braking.

Airbags

The following airbags are located under the

marked covers:

3

4

5

Side airbags

Knee airbag

1

2

Front airbags

Head airbags

Protective action

To ensure that the safety systems con-

The airbags are deliberately not triggered in

every impact situation, e.g. less severe acci-

dents or rear-end collisions.

tinue to provide optimized protection,

please follow the adjustment instructions on

page 39.<

Do not apply adhesive materials to the

cover panels of the airbags, cover them or

The front airbags help protect the driver and

front passenger by responding to frontal

modify them in any other way. Do not attempt to

remove the airbag retention system from the

vehicle. Do not modify or tamper with either the

wiring or the individual components in the air-

bag system. This category includes the uphol-

stery in the center of the steering wheel, on the

instrument panel, the doors and the roof pillars

along with the sides of the headliner. Do not

impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-

vide adequate restraint. When needed, the

head and side airbags help provide protection in

the event of a side impact. The relevant side air-

bag supports the side upper body area. The

head airbag supports the head. The knee airbag

protects the legs from colliding with the cockpit.

75

attempt to remove or dismantle the steering

wheel.

Do not touch the individual components

directly after the system has been triggered,

because there is a danger of burns.

In the event of malfunctions, deactivation, or

triggering of the airbag restraint system, have

the testing, repair, removal, and disposal of air-

bag generators carried out only by a BMW cen-

ter or a workshop that works according to BMW

repair procedures with appropriately trained

personnel and has the required explosives

licenses. Unprofessional attempts to service

the system could lead to failure in an emer-

gency or undesired airbag activation, either of

which could result in personal injury.<

Do not fit seat covers, seat cushion padding,

beaded mats or other items onto the front pas-

senger seat unless they are specifically recom-

mended by BMW. Do not place objects under

the seat which could press against the seat

from below. Otherwise a correct evaluation of

the occupied seat surface cannot be ensured.<

Operating state of front passenger

airbags

Warnings and information on the airbags is also

provided on the sun visors.

Automatic deactivation of front

passenger airbags

The indicator lamp for the front passenger air-

bags indicates the operating status of the front,

knee and side airbag on the front passenger

side depending on whether the seat is occu-

pied. The indicator lamp shows whether the

front passenger airbags are activated or deacti-

vated.

The occupation of the seat is detected by eval-

uating the impression on the occupied seat sur-

face of the front passenger seat. The system

correspondingly activates or deactivates the

front, knee and side airbag on the front passen-

ger side.

>

The indicator lamp lights up when a child in

a child restraint system intended for the

purpose is properly detected on the seat.

The front, knee and side airbag on the front

passenger side are deactivated.

The current status of the front passenger

airbag, i.e. deactivated or activated, is

indicated by the indicator lamp over the interior

rearview mirror, refer to Operating state of front

passenger airbags below.<

The indicator lamp does not light up when,

for example, a correctly seated person of

sufficient height is detected on the seat.

The front, knee and side airbag on the front

passenger side are activated.

Before transporting a child in the front

passenger seat, read the safety informa-

tion and follow the instructions under Trans-

porting children safely, refer to page 48.

The front, knee and side airbag on the front pas-

senger side can be deactivated for teenagers

and adults in certain seat positions; the indica-

tor lamp for the front passenger airbags lights

up when this occurs. In these cases, change the

seat position so that the front passenger air-

bags are activated and the indicator lamp goes

out. If the desired status cannot be produced by

changing the seat position, transport the corre-

sponding person in the rear seat.

The indicator lamp does not light up when

the seat is empty.

But the front, knee and side airbag on the

front passenger side are still deactivated.

76

Operational readiness of airbag system

From radio readiness, refer to page 50, the

warning lamp lights up briefly, indicating the

operational readiness of the entire airbag sys-

tem and the safety belt tensioners.

Airbag system malfunction

>

Warning lamp does not light up as of radio

readiness.

>

Warning lamp lights up continuously.

Switching on/off

Have the airbag system checked immedi-

ately in case of a malfunction; otherwise,

there is a danger that the airbag system may not

respond in the expected manner in an accident

despite an impact of corresponding intensity.<

With the engine running or the ignition switched

on:

Press the button to activate or deactivate this

system.

Selecting displays

Head-Up Display*

iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to

page 16.

The concept

1. Press the

button.

With the Head-Up Display, important informa-

tion is projected into the driver's field of view,

e.g. navigation instructions. This enables you to

absorb this information without looking away

from the road.

This opens the start menu.

2. Press the controller to open the menu.

3. Select "Display settings" and press the

controller.

4. Select "Head-Up Display" and press the

controller.

77

5. Select desired information of Head-Up Dis-

play.

M view

1

2

3

Current engine speed, highlighted

6. Press the controller.

Advance warning field of tachometer

The information is shown on the Head-

Up Display.

Red warning field of tachometer, also refer

to Tachometer on page 59

"M View": the M view is shown in the

Head-Up Display. Information unavailable in

the M view appears on the Control Display

in gray and cannot be selected.

"M View": the default view is displayed.

4

5

Speed

Gear display

For information on the shift lights in the

tachometer, refer to page 55.

The M view for the Head-Up Display can also be

Setting brightness

selected with the

button on the steering

wheel, refer to MDrive on page 46.

The brightness of the display is automatically

adapted to the ambient lighting conditions.

However, you can change the base setting.

With the low beams switched on, the brightness

can also be adjusted with the knurled wheel of

the instrument lighting.

The settings are stored for the remote key cur-

rently in use.

Default view

iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to

page 16.

1. Open the start menu.

2. Press the controller to open the menu.

3. Select "Display settings" and press the

controller.

4. Select "Brightness" and press the control-

ler.

1

2

3

Navigation instructions

Stored desired speed of cruise control

Speed

78

5. If necessary, move the controller to the left

to select "Head-Up Display".

6. Turn the controller until the desired setting

is selected.

The setting is stored for the remote control cur-

rently in use.

Notes

The visibility of the displays in the Head-Up Dis-

play is influenced by:

Only clean the cover of the Head-Up Dis-

play with a soft, lint-free cloth or with a

display cleaning cloth, otherwise damage may

result.<

>

Sunglasses with certain polarization filters

Certain sitting positions

Objects on the cover of the Head-Up Dis-

play

>

Wet road surface and unfavorable lighting

conditions

If the image is distorted, please have the base

setting checked at a BMW center.

Specialized windshield

The windshield is a part of the system. The

shape of the windshield complies with the

requirements of the Head-Up Display to enable

a precise display. A film in the windshield pre-

vents double images from being displayed.

Have the windshield replaced only by a BMW

center or a repair shop that works in accordance

with BMW guidelines and uses appropriately

trained personnel.

Care instructions

You can find everything you need to know on

this topic by consulting the Caring for your vehi-

cle brochure.

79

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