Driving BMW 2006-6 Series

The 2006-6 Series BMW is a luxury sports car that was produced from 2006 to 2010. It is known for its smooth handling, powerful engine options, and stylish design. Driving the 6 Series can be an enjoyable experience with its comfortable and spacious interior, responsive steering, and strong acceleration. However, as with any vehicle, it is important to keep it properly maintained and serviced to ensure optimal performance and safety while driving.

Ignition lock

Driving BMW 2006 6 Series

Insert the remote control as far as possible into the ignition lock.

  • Radio readiness switches on. Some electrical devices are ready for operation.
  • The electric steering-wheel lock audibly disengages.

⚠ Before moving the vehicle, insert the remote control into the ignition lock; otherwise, the electric steering-wheel lock will not be unlocked and the vehicle cannot be steered.

Removing remote control from ignition lock

Briefly press in the remote control; it pops out slightly. At the same time:

  • The ignition is switched off if it was still switched on.
  • The electric steering-wheel lock audibly engages.
Automatic transmission

The remote control can only be removed when the selector lever is in position P: interlock.

Start/Stop button

Driving BMW 2006 6 Series1

Briefly pressing the Start/Stop button several times switches the radio readiness or the ignition on and off.

▶ Briefly pressing the Start/Stop button with the brake or clutch pedal depressed starts the engine.

Radio readiness

Some electrical devices are ready for operation. The time and outside temperature are displayed in the instrument cluster. Radio readiness is automatically switched off:

  • the moment the remote control is removed from the ignition lock
  • with comfort access* by touching the sensitive surface on the door handle
Ignition on

Most indicator and warning lamps in the display area 1 of the instrument cluster, light up for different periods.

Radio readiness and ignition off

All indicator and warning lamps in the instrument cluster go out.

Starting engine

⚠ Do not run the engine in closed rooms; otherwise, the inhalation of toxic exhaust gases can cause unconsciousness and death. The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, an odorless and colorless, but highly toxic gas. Never leave an unattended vehicle with the engine running, as such a vehicle represents a potential safety hazard.

To prevent the vehicle from rolling, always engage the handbrake and move the selectorlever into position P or shift into neutral before leaving the vehicle with the engine running.

When starting the engine, do not press the accelerator pedal. Do not allow the engine to warm up by leaving it running while the vehicle remains stationary. Instead, begin to drive immediately at a moderate engine speed.

Driving BMW 2006 6 Series2
Manual transmission
  1. Apply the handbrake.
  2. Depress the clutch pedal and select the idling position.
  3. Briefly press Start/Stop button.

The system responds by automatically engaging the starter for a certain period and automatically disengaging it as soon as the engine starts.

Automatic transmission with Steptronic*
  1. Depress brake pedal.
  2. Briefly press Start/Stop button.

The system responds by automatically engaging the starter for a certain period and automat ically disengaging it as soon as the engine starts.

SMG Sequential Manual Gearbox*
  1. Depress brake pedal.
  2. Move the selector lever into position N and make sure that this position is also indicated in the instrument cluster.
  3. Briefly press Start/Stop button.

The system responds by automatically engaging the starter for a certain period and automatically disengaging it as soon as the engine starts.

▶ If the engine fails to start, depress the brake pedal and press the selector lever to the right and then back into position .Watch the display in the instrument cluster while doing so.

Special starting conditions

Depress the accelerator pedal halfway when starting the engine in the following situations:

  • The engine fails to start on the first attempt, e.g. if it is very hot or cold.
  • The engine is started at very low temperatures below approx. +57/–156 and at high altitudes over approx. 3,300 ft/1,000 m.

⚠ Avoid frequent starting in quick succession or repeated start attempts in which the engine does not start. Otherwise, the fuel is not burned at all or is burned inadequately and there is a danger of overheating and damage to the catalytic converter.

Switching engine off

Do not remove the remote control from the ignition lock while the vehicle is rolling; otherwise, the steering wheel lock would engage while steering. When leaving the vehicle, always take the remote control with you. When parking on a downhill slope, apply the handbrake; otherwise, the vehicle could roll.

Manual transmission
  1. Briefly press the Start/Stop button with the vehicle stopped.
  2. Shift into first gear or reverse.
  3. Apply the handbrake.
SMG Sequential Manual Gearbox*
  1. Apply the handbrake.
  2. Move selector lever into a drive position.
  3. Briefly press Start/Stop button.

If the transmission is in N when the engine is switched off, you will be given an optical and acoustic reminder.

Automatic transmission*
  1. Move the selector lever into position P with the vehicle stopped.
  2. Briefly press Start/Stop button.
Handbrake

The handbrake is primarily intended to prevent the vehicle from rolling while parked; it brakes the rear wheels.

Indicator lamp
Driving BMW 2006 6 Series3

The indicator lamp lights up, and a signal also sounds when starting off. The handbrake is engaged.

Driving BMW 2006 6 Series4

Indicator lamp for Canadian models.

Engaging

The lever engages automatically.

Releasing
Driving BMW 2006 6 Series5

Pull slightly upward, press the button and lower the lever.

⚠ If it becomes necessary under special circumstances to use the handbrake while driving, it must not be pulled too sharply. In doing so, continuously press the button of the handbrake lever. Otherwise strong application of the handbrake can lead to overbraking of the rear axle and associated ‘fishtailing’ of the vehicle rear end.

▶ To prevent corrosion and one-sided braking action, occasionally engage the handbrake lightly when the vehicle is slowly coming to a stop if traffic conditions permit. The brake lamps do not light up when the handbrake is engaged.

Manual transmission

Driving BMW 2006 6 Series6

⚠ When shifting into 5th/6th gear, press the selector-lever toward the right, otherwise an inadvertent shift into 3rd or 4th gear could lead to engine damage.

Reverse gear

Select only when the vehicle is stationary. Press the gearshift lever to the left, overcoming a slight resistance. The backup lamps switch on automatically with the ignition switched on.

SMG Sequential Manual Gearbox*

The concept

The SMG Sequential Manual Gearbox is an automated manual transmission in which an electrohydraulic system handles the clutching and gear changes. You operate the SMG using the selector-lever in the center console and two shift paddles on the steering wheel.

It offers the following functions:

  • Choice of manual or automatic mode: Sequential mode or Drive mode
  • Choice of two drive programs: Normal or Sport
  • Automatic downshifting and protection against incorrect shifting even in sequential operation
  • Acceleration assistant, refer to page 64.
Selector-lever positions
Driving BMW 2006 6 Series7

The current selector-lever position is displayed in the center console.

  • R: Reverse gear
  • N: Neutral, idle
  • One-touch functions for Sequential mode: +: manual upshifting –: manual downshifting
  • D: activate/deactivate the Drive mode

▶ The transmission automatically shifts into N if the driver’s door is opened with the engine running and neither the pedals, the shift paddles nor the selector-lever are operated. This is indicated by an acoustic signal and the flashing display N in the instrument cluster.

Gear display
Driving BMW 2006 6 Series8

R N 1 to 6. The currently engaged gear is displayed preceded by a D in Drive mode.

▶ This display is your only way to be sure the desired selector lever position is actually engaged.

Shiftlock

Press the brake pedal before shifting out of N; the shift command will not be executed unless the brake is applied.

R Reverse

Select only when the vehicle is stationary

Sequential mode

After every engine start, as soon as the selector lever is pushed to the right and the brake pedal is pressed, the Sequential mode is activated. You can shift up and down using the shifting paddles or the selector-lever. You do not need to remove your foot from the accelerator to do so.

It is also possible to start off in second gear, e.g. in slippery conditions. In the following situations, SMG does the thinking for you:

  • Upshifts and downshifts are executed only when they will result in a plausible combination of engine and vehicle speed; thus, for example, the system will not execute a downshift that would cause the engine to overrev.
  • When the vehicle is stationary, the transmission automatically downshifts into first gear.
  • Shortly before dropping below a gear dependent minimum speed, the transmission downshifts automatically even without your intervention.
D Drive mode

In the Drive mode, all forward gears are shifted automatically. To switch from Sequential to Drive mode:
Briefly press the selector-lever to the right toward D. Kick-down: for rapid acceleration, e.g. passing,
press the accelerator pedal as far down as it will go. You achieve maximum acceleration.

To switch back to the Sequential mode: press selector-lever to the right again toward D or shift using the shifting paddles or the selectorlever.

Start off quickly on slopes. Do not hold the vehicle on a hill by applying the throttle, but engage the handbrake instead. Otherwise, overheating can occur in the region of the transmission.

Gear changes

Using selector-lever
  • To upshift, pull the selector-lever back.
  • To downshift, push the selector-lever forward.
Using shift paddles on steering wheel
Driving BMW 2006 6 Series9
  • To shift up, pull one of the shift paddles.
  • To shift down, press.

Automatic transmission with Steptronic*

In addition to the fully automatic mode, you canalso shift manually with Steptronic.

Selector-lever positions

P R N D M/S + –

Displays in instrument cluster
Driving BMW 2006 6 Series10

P R N D DS M1 to M6 The selector-lever position is indicated, and in manual mode, the gear currently engaged.

Changing selector-lever positions
  • Only move the selector-lever from position P with the engine running: interlock.
  • With the vehicle stopped, press the brake before shifting out of P or N; otherwise, the selector lever is blocked: shiftlock.

⚠ To prevent the vehicle from creeping after you select a driving position, maintain pressure on the brake pedal until you are ready to start.

Driving BMW 2006 6 Series11

An interlock prevents inadvertent gearshifts into selector-lever positions R and P. To cancel the interlock, press the button on the front of the selector-lever knob, refer to arrow.

P Park

Select only when the vehicle is stationary. The rear wheels are locked.

R Reverse

Select only when the vehicle is stationary.

N Neutral

You can select N in car washes, for example. The vehicle can roll.

D Drive, automatic position

Position for normal vehicle operation. All forward gears are available. Under normal operating conditions, the fuel consumption is lowest when driving in position D.

Kick-down

The kick-down mode provides maximum acceleration: Press the accelerator pedal beyond the fullthrottle resistance point.

Sport program and manual operation M/S
Driving BMW 2006 6 Series12

Move the selector-lever from position D to the left into shifting slot M/S: The Sport program is activated and DS appears in the instrument cluster. This position is recommended for a performance-oriented driving
style. It is engaged automatically when the Dynamic Driving Control is activated, refer to Dynamic Driving Control.

When the selector-lever is briefly moved forward or back, the manual mode is activated and the Steptronic shifts gear. The instrument cluster shows M1 through M6.

Upshifts and downshifts are executed only when they will result in a plausible combination of engine and vehicle speed; thus, for example, a downshift that would cause the engine to overrev will not be executed by the system. If this occurs, the selected gear appears briefly in the instrument cluster, followed by the current gear.

To use the automatic function again, move the selector-lever to the right into position D.

Deactivating selector lever interlock

If the selector lever is blocked in the position P even though the button on the selector lever is pressed, the selector lever interlock can be deactivated:

  1. Unclip the sleeve of the selector lever.
  2. Pull the sleeve up over the selector lever.
Driving BMW 2006 6 Series13
  1. Using the screwdriver from the onboard toolkit, press the lever at the point marked in red and move the selector lever into the desired position.

Dynamic Driving Control

The Dynamic Driving Control makes it possible for your BMW to react in an even more performance-oriented manner at the push of a button:

  • The engine responds more spontaneously to accelerator pedal movements.
  • Cruise control: The stored speed is reached more quickly when requested.

Additionally with SMG:

  • Gearshifts are faster.
  • The engine speed range is used optimally in the Drive mode

With automatic transmission:

  • The Sport program is activated
Activating system
Driving BMW 2006 6 Series14

With the ignition switched on, press the SPORT button.

Using turn signals

Move the lever beyond the resistance point. To switch off manually, only press the lever as far as the resistance point.

▶ Atypically rapid flashing of the indicator lamp indicates the failure of a turn signal lamp.

Brief signaling

Press the lever to the resistance point and hold it there as long as you wish to signal.

Triple turn signal activation

Press the lever to the resistance point; the turn signals flash three times. You can activate or deactivate this function.

  1. Open the start menu.
  2. Press the controller to open the I menu.
  3. Select “Vehicle settings” and press the controller.
  4. Select “Lighting” and press the controller.
Driving BMW 2006 6 Series15
  1. Select “Triple turn signal activation” and press the controller.

✓ Triple turn signal is activated.

Wiper system

Driving BMW 2006 6 Series16

1 Switching on wipers
2 Switching off wipers or brief wipe
3 Activating/deactivating rain sensor
4 Cleaning windshield and headlamps
5 Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level

Switching on wipers

The lever automatically returns to its initial position when released.

Standard wiper speed

Press once. The system reverts to operation in the intermittent mode whenever the vehicle is stationary.

Fast wipe

Briefly press twice or press beyond the resistance point. The system reverts to operation at normal speed whenever the vehicle is stationary.

Rain sensor

Wiper operation is controlled automatically as a function of the rain intensity. The rain sensor is located on the windshield, directly in front of the interior rearview mirror.

Activating rain sensor
Driving BMW 2006 6 Series17

Press the button, arrow 3. The LED in the button lights up.

Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level

Turn the knurled wheel 5.

Deactivating rain sensor

Press the button again, arrow 3. The LED goes out.

⚠ Deactivate the rain sensor when passing through an automatic car wash. Failure to do so could result in damage caused by undesired wiper activation.

Cleaning windshield and headlamps

The system sprays washer fluid against the windshield and activates the wipers for a brief period.
When the vehicle lighting system is switched on, the headlamps are also cleaned at regular and appropriate intervals.

⚠ Do not use the washers if there is any danger that the fluid will freeze on the windshield. If you do so, your vision could be obscured. To avoid freezing, use a washer fluid antifreeze, refer to Washer fluid. Do not use washers when the washer fluid reservoir is empty, as this will damage the washer pump.

Windshield washer nozzles

Both windshield washer nozzles are automatically heated with the engine running or the ignition switched on.

Washer fluid

⚠ Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable. Always keep it well away from sparks and open flames, and store it in tightly closed containers well out of the reach of children. Always follow the instructions for use provided on the containers.

Washer fluid reservoir
Driving BMW 2006 6 Series18

Capacity approx. 5.3 US quarts/5 liters. Fill with water and – if required – with a washer antifreeze, according to manufacturer’s recommendations.

▶ In order to maintain the mixture ratio, mix the washer fluid before filling.

Cruise control

The concept

Cruise control is available for use at speeds of approx. 20 mph/30 km/h and higher. The vehicle stores and maintains the speed that you set using the lever mounted on the steering column.

Do not use the cruise control under driving conditions that do not permit a constant speed, e.g. when driving on winding roads, in heavy traffic or in poor road conditions such as snow, rain, ice, and loose road surface. Otherwise, you could lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident.

One lever for all functions
Driving BMW 2006 6 Series19

1 Maintaining speed, storing speed, and accelerating
2 Maintaining speed, storing speed, and decelerating
3 Interrupting cruise control
4 Resuming stored speed

Maintaining speed, storing speed, and accelerating

Press lever to resistance point, arrow 1: The system maintains and stores the current vehicle speed. The display 1 in the speedometer, see below, indicates this regulated speed. Every time you briefly press the lever, the vehicle speed increases by approx. 1 mph/1 km/h.

Press the lever to the resistance point and hold it:

The vehicle accelerates without pressure on the accelerator pedal. The system maintains and stores your current speed as soon as you release the lever.

Press the lever beyond the resistance point: The speed increases by 5 mph/10 km/h. The vehicle may accelerate beyond the regulated speed on steep downhill stretches where the engine’s braking action alone may not be sufficient to slow the vehicle. Speed can drop on uphill grades if the engine output is insufficient.

Maintaining speed, storing speed, and decelerating

Pull the lever, arrow 2: Functions are the same as 1, only the vehicle speed is reduced.

Interrupting cruise control

Press the lever up or down, arrow 3. Cruise control is also interrupted automatically:

  • when you apply pressure to the brake pedal
  • when you depress the clutch pedal or shift the automatic transmission/SMG into position N
  • when DSC comes on
Resuming stored speed

Press button 4: The vehicle accelerates to and maintains the stored speed.

Deactivating system

When the ignition is switched off, the system is deactivated and the stored speed is deleted.

Displays in instrument cluster
Driving BMW 2006 6 Series20

1 Stored desired speed
2 Selected desired speed appears briefly

Active cruise control*

The concept

With active cruise control, you can select a desired speed which is not only automatically maintained when driving on open roadways, but also varied to maintain a selected distance setting as slower traffic is encountered.

Active cruise control is technologically advanced over the familiar cruise control and is a welcome relief from the constant adjustment of speed that can accompany driving in traffic on freeways or other high-speed thorough fares. Especially on longer trips, the system can reduce fatigue and tension, while increasing your enjoyment of driving. Please use it safely and responsibly.

In addition to maintaining a steady cruising speed, active cruise control will, within the scope of given possibilities, adjust your vehicle’s speed automatically if you encounter slower vehicles ahead, thus allowing you to flow with the traffic without having to make frequent interventions.

For example, if, while cruising at the selected speed, you begin to approach a slower vehicle ahead of you in the same lane, the system will reduce your vehicle’s speed to the same as that of the vehicle ahead to maintain your selected distance setting between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead.

You can vary the distance, which is also speed-dependent. Based on your selected distance setting, the system automatically decreases the throttle setting and lightly applies the brakes if necessary. The vehicle brake lamps will automatically illuminate to signal a following driver to take action.

In addition, it may be necessary for the vehicle or the driver to downshift, depending on the kind of transmission your vehicle is equipped with, to maintain the distance setting selected. If the vehicle ahead speeds up or when the lane ahead becomes clear, your vehicle will accelerate to the speed you have selected by increasing the throttle setting and shifting gears automatically or with the aid of the driver as needed. Your selected speed will be maintained when driving downhill, too.

⚠ Active cruise control is not and must not be used as a collision avoidance/warning system.

⚠ Since this active cruise control system is a new technology and operates differently from conventional cruise control systems which you may be accustomed to, you are strongly urged to read all of the pages relating to this system before use.

Professional* navigation system

If there is a navigation DVD in the player, then the system adapts the acceleration and deceleration behavior of the vehicle to the road on which you are currently driving. The influence exerted by the navigation system is canceled when the vehicle position is unknown, e.g. when it has left the mapped region.

Manual transmission

You can shift gears with the cruise control activated. If you drive for extended periods at very high or very low engine speeds, then a shifting command is issued or the system is deactivated.

SMG

If you drive for extended periods at very high engine speeds in Sequential mode, then a shifting command is issued or the system is deactivated. In the Drive mode, the SMG acts similarly to an automatic transmission in the D position.

Operating active cruise control
Driving BMW 2006 6 Series21

1 Store and increase desired speed
2 Store and decrease desired speed
3 Deactivate system
4 Resume stored desired speed and distance
5 Select following distance to vehicle ahead

Maintaining current speed

Briefly press lever, arrow 1, or briefly pull, arrow 2, at a driving speed of more than approx. 20 mph or 30 km/h.

Driving BMW 2006 6 Series22

The speed currently being driven is stored and maintained. It is indicated on the speedometer and briefly in the instrument cluster. The controlled speed can drop on uphill grades if the engine output is insufficient. If the engine’s braking action is not sufficient on a downhill grade, the system lightly brakes the vehicle.

Setting desired speed

⚠ Adjust your desired speed to the traffic conditions and remain ready to brake at all times; otherwise, there is a danger of accidents. The system is unable to compensate for great differences between your speed and that of the vehicle ahead, e.g. when quickly approaching a truck or when another vehicle swerves into your lane.

Increasing in steps

Briefly press the lever repeatedly up to the resistance point or past the resistance point, arrow 1, until the desired speed is displayed.

  • Each time the lever is briefly pressed up to the resistance point, the desired speed increases by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
  • Each time the lever is briefly pressed beyond the resistance point, the desired speed is increased by a maximum of 5 mph or 10 km/h until the maximum speed of 110 mph or 180 km/h is reached.

The speed then displayed is stored and reached on clear roads.

Increasing without intermediate steps

Press the lever up to the resistance point or past the resistance point, arrow 1, until the desired speed is reached. The speed then displayed is stored and reached on clear roads.

Decreasing without intermediate steps

Briefly pull the lever repeatedly up to the resistance point or past the resistance point, arrow 2, until the desired speed is displayed.

  • Each time the lever is pulled up to the resistance point, the desired speed decreases by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
  • Each time the lever is pulled beyond the resistance point, the desired speed is decreased by a maximum of 5 mph or 10 km/h until the minimum speed of 20 mph or 30 km/h is reached.

The speed then displayed is stored and reached on clear roads.

Select distance
Driving BMW 2006 6 Series23
  • Rotary switch downward: Increase distance
  • Rotary switch upward: Decrease distance

The selected distance is displayed in the instrument cluster.

Driving BMW 2006 6 Series24

⚠ Use good judgment to select the appropriate following distance given road conditions, traffic, applicable laws and driving recommendations for safe following distance.

Deactivate system
Driving BMW 2006 6 Series25

Press the lever up or down. The displays in the instrument cluster disappear. You also deactivate the system when you apply the brakes, shift very slowly, or shift into neutral. In addition, the system is deactivated automatically:

  • when you activate the DTC Dynamic Traction Control
  • when you deactivate the DSC Dynamic Stability Control
  • when the system does not recognize any objects for a longer time, e.g. on infrequently traveled roads without a shoulder or guard rails, or if the radar sensor is covered with dirt.
  • when the speed is reduced to below 20 mph/30 km/h due to a traffic situation

⚠ The system deactivates automatically when the speed is set to below 20 mph/ 30 km/h. A signal sounds and a message appears in the Control Display. The active intervention of the driver is required, otherwise there is the danger of an accident.

Resume stored desired speed and distance

Press button 4. The displays appear in the instrument cluster. When you switch off the ignition, the stored
desired speed is deleted.

Displays in instrument cluster
Driving BMW 2006 6 Series26

1 Stored desired speed
2 Lights up yellow: vehicle driving ahead is detected

Flashes red and a signal sounds: the system cannot establish the distance, you must apply the brakes

Flashes yellow: driving stability control systems intervene and the active cruise control is deactivated

3 Selected distance to vehicle driving ahead: lights up as soon as the system is activated
4 Selected desired speed appears briefly

▶ If the display ACC — mph/km/h briefly appears in the instrument cluster, it might be that conditions necessary for operation are not currently being met. To call up Check Control messages.

Warning lamps
Driving BMW 2006 6 Series27

The display 2 flashes red and a signal sounds. The system is warning you to intervene by braking or executing an evasive maneuver. The active cruise control cannot automatically restore the distance to the vehicle driving ahead. This display does not, however, relieve the driver of the responsibility for adapting desired speed and driving style to traffic conditions.

Driving BMW 2006 6 Series28

The display 2 flashes yellow. Automatic intervention by ABS or DSC. The active cruise control intervenes by braking until you actively take over.

Radar sensor
Driving BMW 2006 6 Series30

Heavy rain, dirt, snow, or ice can impair the detection of vehicles ahead. If necessary, clean the radar sensor under the front bumper. In doing so, be especially careful when removing layers of snow and ice. If the sensor is incorrectly aligned, the active cruise control cannot be activated.

Things to know about active cruise control
Driving BMW 2006 6 Series29

⚠ As with conventional cruise control systems, active cruise control in no way diminishes or substitutes for the driver’s own personal responsibility, alertness and awareness in adjusting speed, braking or otherwise controlling the vehicle. The driver should decide when to use the system on the basis of road, traffic, visibility, and weather conditions.

Active cruise control is intended for use on highway-type roadways where traffic is moving relatively smoothly. Do not use this system in city driving; heavy traffic such as during rush hour; on curvy, winding roads, slippery roads or roads with sharp curves such as highway offramps; during inclement weather such as snow, heavy rain or fog; or when entering interchanges, service/parking areas or toll booths. It is also important to regulate your vehicle’s speed and distance setting within applicable legal limits. Always be ready to take action or apply the brakes if necessary, especially when the system is actively following a vehicle in front of you.

⚠ Always remember that the range and ability of the system do have physical limitations. It will not apply the brakes or decelerate your vehicle when there is a slow-moving vehicle, stopped vehicle or stationary object ahead of you, as for example at a traffic light or when approaching a parked vehicle. Also, the system does not react to oncoming traffic, pedestrians or other types of potential traffic such as a rider
on horseback.

It is also possible that the system may not detect smaller moving objects such as motorcycles or bicycles. Be especially alert when encountering any of these situations as the system will neither automatically brake, nor provide a warning to you. Also, be aware that every decrease in the distance setting allows
your vehicle to come closer to a vehicle in front of you and requires a heightened amount of alertness.

If your vehicle is actively following a vehicle in front of you and the vehicle ahead speeds up or the lane ahead becomes clear, then your vehicle will accelerate to the speed you have selected. Be aware that changing to a clear, unobstructed lane will also result in your vehicle accelerating.

⚠ Be certain to deactivate the system when you pull into an exit lane for a highway offramp.

Also, vehicles traveling in a staggered manner on a highway may cause a delay in the system’s reaction to a vehicle in front of you or may cause the system to react to a vehicle actually in the lane next to you. Always be ready to take action or apply the brakes if necessary.

Active cruise control can only decelerate the vehicle to approx. 20 mph/30 km/h. If the system reduces vehicle speed below 20 mph/ 30 km/h or if DSC/ABS is engaged while driving, the system will automatically deactivate.

Remember, the system cannot stop your vehicle. In addition, the system is deactivated whenever the driver applies the vehicle brakes, shifts into neutral, or deactivates DSC. After any deactivation, the system will no longer automatically activate the vehicle brakes, which means the driver must intervene and resume
manual braking. You should then reactivate the system only when you are fully aware of the prior speed and distance settings.

Active cruise control may brake when you reduce the stored desired speed; however, the driver must constantly monitor traffic and intervene if necessary. When you switch off the engine or ignition, active cruise control is fully switched off, too, and any settings you have selected are canceled.

Swerving vehicles
Driving BMW 2006 6 Series31

When a vehicle moves from an adjacent lane into your lane, active cruise control will not recognize this vehicle until it is fully in your lane ahead of your vehicle.

Behavior in curves
Driving BMW 2006 6 Series32

Because of the limited range of the system, it is possible that in curves or on the peaks and valleys of hilly roads, a vehicle ahead may be recognized late, or not at all. Therefore, it is up to the driver to select a speed that is prudent in view of the curves and terrain of the roadway.

Driving BMW 2006 6 Series33

In approaching a curve, it is possible that active cruise control would react briefly to a vehicle in the adjacent lane. In addition, the system can sense if your vehicle is in a curve and may not accelerate. If your vehicle decelerates in either case, you can choose to overcome the deceleration by briefly pressing the accelerator pedal.

Driver interventions

⚠ Anytime the driver presses down on the accelerator pedal, any automatic braking action by the system is interrupted until the pedal is fully released. After doing this, release the accelerator and the system again controls your cruising speed and distance setting. While driving with the system activated, resting your foot on the accelerator pedal will cause the system not to brake even if necessary. Be certain that floormats or other objects on the vehicle floor do not interfere with movement of the accelerator pedal.

⚠ While active cruise control is capable of braking your vehicle automatically when you approach a slower vehicle ahead, it is important to be aware that the ability of the system to apply the brakes is also limited, e.g. when you reduce your desired speed sharply. The system cannot stop your vehicle. It uses only a portion of braking system capacity and does not utilize the full capacity of the vehicle braking system. Therefore, the system cannot decrease your speed for large differences in speed between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. Examples: when you approach a vehicle traveling at a much lower speed than your own speed such as approaching a toll booth or when a much slower vehicle cuts in front of you at close range.

Categories BMW