BMW 5 Series: Adjusting

BMW 5 Series: Adjusting

• Vehicle equipment
• Sitting safely
• Seats
• Safety belts
• Front head restraints
• Rear head restraints
• Seat, mirror, and steering wheel memory
• Mirrors
• Steering wheel

Vehicle equipment

All standard, country-specific and optional equipment that is offered in the model series is described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment is also described that is not available in a vehicle, e. g., because of the selected optional equipment or country variant. This also applies for safety-related functions and systems.

Sitting safely

The ideal seating position can make a vital contribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving.

The seating position plays an important role in an accident in combination with:

▷ Safety belts.
▷ Head restraints.
▷ Airbags.

Seats

General information

Do not adjust the seat while driving
Do not adjust the driver's seat while driving, or the seat could respond with unexpected movement and the ensuing loss of vehicle control could lead to an accident.◀

Do not incline the backrest too far to the rear
Also on the front passenger side, do not incline the backrest on the front passenger side too far to the rear during driving, or there is a risk of slipping under the safety belt in the event of an accident. This would eliminate the protection normally provided by the belt.◀

Semi-electrically adjustable seats

At a glance

1. Thigh support
2. Tilt
3. Forward/backward
4. Lumbar support
5. Height
6. Backrest

Tilt

Pull the lever and move the seat to the desired tilt. After releasing the lever, apply your weight to the seat or lift it off to make sure the seat engages properly.

Forward/backward

Pull the lever and slide the seat in the desired direction.

After releasing the lever, move the seat forward or back slightly to make sure it engages properly.

Height

Move the button in the required direction.

Backrest

Move the button in the required direction.

Electrically adjustable seats

At a glance

1. Lumbar support
2. Backrest width
3. Shoulder support
4. Backrest
5. Forward/back, height, tilt
6. Thigh support

Note

The seat setting for the driver's seat is stored for the remote control currently in use. When the vehicle is unlocked via the remote control, the position is automatically retrieved if the Function, for this is activated.

Adjustments in detail

1. Forward/back.

2. Height.

3. Seat tilt.

4. Backrest tilt.

5. Thigh support.

Lumbar support

The curvature of the seat backrest can be adjusted in such a way that it supports the lumbar region of the spine. The lower back and the spine are supported for upright posture.

▷ 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.

Shoulder support

Also supports the back in the shoulder area:

▷ Results in a relaxed seating position.
▷ Reduces strain on the shoulder muscles.

Active seat

Active adjustment of the seat cushion's contours reduces muscular tension and fatigue to help prevent lower back pain.

Press the button. The LED lights up.

Front seat heating

Switching on

Press the button once for each temperature level.

The maximum temperature is reached when three LEDs are lit.

If the drive is continued within approx. 15 minutes, the seat heating is activated automatically with the temperature selected last.

Switching off

Press the button longer.

The LEDs go out.

The temperature may be reduced or seat heating may be switched off entirely to save battery power.

Temperature distribution

The heating action in the seat cushion and backrest can be distributed in different ways.

1. "Climate"
2. "Seat heating distribution"
3. Select the required seat.

4. Turn the controller to set the temperature distribution.

Rear seat heating

Rear seat heating

Switching on

Press the button once for each temperature level.

The maximum temperature is reached when three LEDs are lit.

If the drive is continued within approx. 15 minutes, the seat heating is activated automatically with the temperature selected last.

Switching off

Press the button longer.

The LEDs go out.

Active seat ventilation, front

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.

Switching on

Press the button once for each ventilation level.

The highest level is active when three LEDs are lit.

If when the seat ventilation is turned on the Maximum Cooling function is activated, the seat ventilation automatically switches to the highest level. When the Maximum Cooling function is switched off, the unit switches to the previously set level.

After a short time, the system automatically moves down one level in order to prevent excessive cooling.

Switching off

Press the button longer.

The LEDs go out.

Safety belts

Seats with safety belt

The vehicle has five seats, each of which is equipped with a safety belt.

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.
▷ The two outer safety belt buckles, integrated into the rear seat, are for passengers sitting on the left and right.
▷ The center rear seat belt buckle marked with the letters CENTER is solely intended for the center passenger.

One person per safety belt
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.◀

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 impact and injure the abdomen.

The safety belt must not lie across the neck, rub on sharp edges, be routed over solid or breakable objects, or be pinched.◀

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.◀

Buckling the belt

Make sure you hear the latch plate engage in the belt buckle.

Unbuckling the belt

1. Hold the belt firmly.

2. Press the red button in the belt buckle.

3. Guide the belt back into its reel.

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 activated if objects are placed on the front passenger seat.

Damage to safety belts

In the case of strain caused by accidents or damage:

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.◀

Front head restraints

Correctly adjusted head restraint

A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the risk of injury to cervical vertebrae in the event of an accident.

Adjusting the head restraint
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 approximately at ear level.

Distance

Adjust the distance so that the head restraint is as close as possible to the back of the head.

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.

Reduced protective function

▷ Do not use seat or head restraint covers.
▷ 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: manual head restraints

Adjusting the height: manual head restraints

▷ To raise: pull.

▷ To lower: press the button, arrow 1, and push the head restraint down.

Adjusting the height: electrical head restraints

Adjusting the height: electrical head restraints

Adjusting electrically.

Distance to back of head: manual head restraints

Distance to back of head: manual head restraints

▷ Forward: by pulling
▷ Back: press the button and push the head restraint toward the rear.

Distance to back of head: electrical head restraints

The head restraint is automatically repositioned when the shoulder support is adjusted.

Adjusting the side extensions

Adjusting the side extensions

Fold forward for increased lateral support in the resting position.

Removing

The head restraints cannot be removed.

Rear head restraints

Correctly adjusted head restraint

A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the risk of injury to cervical vertebrae in the event of an accident.

Adjusting the head restraint
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 approximately at ear level.

Distance

Adjust the distance so that the head restraint is as close as possible to the back of the head.

Adjusting the height

▷ To raise: pull.
▷ To lower: press the button, arrow 1, and push the head restraint down.

Folding forward

Press the button, arrow 1, and fold the head restraint forward.

Removing

Only remove the head restraint if no one will be sitting in the seat in question.

1. Pull the head restraint upward as far as possible.
2. Press the button, arrow 1, and pull the head restraint out completely.

Before transporting passengers
Reinstall the head restraint before transporting anyone in the seat; otherwise, the protective function of the head restraint is unavailable.◀

Seat, mirror, and steering wheel memory

General information

Front

Two different driver's seat, exterior mirror, and steering wheel positions can be stored and retrieved for each remote control. The adjustment of the lumbar support is not stored.

Storing

1. Switch on the ignition.
2. Set the desired position.

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.

Calling up settings

Do not retrieve the memory while driving
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 adjusting the seat or one of the buttons is pressed.

Safety mode

1. Close the driver's door or switch on the ignition.
2. Press and hold the desired button 1 or 2 until the adjustment procedure is completed.

Calling up of a seat position deactivated

After a brief period, the calling up of stored seat positions is deactivated to save battery power.

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.

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors

At a glance

1 Adjusting
2 Left/right, Automatic Curb Monitor
3 Fold in and out

General information

The mirror on the passenger side is more curved than the driver's side mirror

Estimating distances correctly
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.◀

Depending on how the vehicle is equipped, the mirror setting is stored for the remote control in use. When the vehicle is unlocked via the remote control, the position is automatically 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.

Storing positions

Seat, mirror, and steering wheel memory

Adjusting manually

If an electrical malfunction occurs, for example, press the edges of the mirror glass

Automatic Curb Monitor

When the reverse gear is engaged, the mirror glass tilts downward slightly on the front passenger side. This improves your view of the curb and other low-lying obstacles when parking, for example.

Activating

1. Slide the mirror changeover switch to the driver's side mirror position.
2. Engage transmission position R.

Deactivating

Slide the mirror changeover switch to the passenger's side mirror position.

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

Fold in the mirror in a car wash
Before entering an automatic car wash, fold in the exterior mirrors by hand or with the button; otherwise, they could be damaged, depending on the width of the vehicle.◀

Automatic heating

Both exterior mirrors are automatically heated whenever the engine is running.

Automatic dimming feature

Both exterior mirrors are automatically dimmed.

Photocells are used for control in the Interior rear view mirror

Interior rearview mirror

Reducing the blinding effect

Reducing the blinding effect

From behind when driving at night: turn the knob.

Interior rearview mirror, automatic dimming feature

The concept

Interior rearview mirror, automatic dimming feature

Photocells are used for control:

▷ In the mirror glass.
▷ On the back of the mirror.

Functional requirement

For proper operation:

▷ Keep the photocells clean.
▷ Do not cover the area between the inside rearview mirror and the windshield.

Steering wheel

General information

Do not adjust while driving
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving; otherwise, an unexpected movement could result in an accident.◀

Manual steering wheel adjustment

1. Fold the lever down.
2. Move the steering wheel to the preferred height and angle to suit your seating position.
3. Fold the lever back.

Power steering wheel adjustment

The steering wheel can be adjusted in four directions.

Storing the position

Seat, mirror, and steering wheel memory

Steering wheel heating

Switching on/off

Press the button.

▷ On: the LED lights up.
▷ Off: the LED goes out.