The 2006 BMW 6 Series comes equipped with a built-in telephone system that allows you to make and receive phone calls directly through the vehicle’s audio system.
To use the telephone system, you’ll need to pair your mobile phone with the vehicle’s Bluetooth system.
To make a phone call, use the vehicle’s audio system to dial the phone number you wish to call or use voice commands to call a contact from your phone’s address book.
To answer an incoming call, press the “answer” button on the vehicle’s steering wheel or use the audio system’s touchscreen to answer the call.
Note that using a mobile phone while driving can be a distraction and may be illegal in some areas. Always use the vehicle’s phone system in a safe and responsible manner.
The concept
Your BMW is equipped with a full mobile phone preparation package. After a suitable mobile phone has been logged onto the vehicle once, you can operate the mobile phone via iDrive, with the buttons on the steering wheel and by voice.
A mobile phone that has been logged on once is automatically detected again as soon as it is brought back inside the vehicle, provided that the engine is running or the ignition is switched on. The logon data of up to four mobile phones can be stored simultaneously. If several mobile phones are detected simultaneously, the most recently logged-on mobile phone can be operated via the vehicle.
Using a phone in your vehicle
Using the snap-in adapter*
The so-called snap-in adapter, a mobile phone cradle, enables the battery to be charged and the mobile phone to be connected to the external antenna of your vehicle. This ensures improved network reception and a consistent voice reproduction quality. Ask your BMW center which mobile phones will fit in the snap-in
adapters they offer.
⚠ BMW discourages the use of mobile phones or other mobile communications devices inside the vehicle without a direct connection to an outside antenna. Otherwise, the vehicle electronics and mobile communication device can interfere with each other. In addition, there is no assurance that the radiation that results from transmission will be dissipated from the vehicle interior.
A mobile phone detected by the vehicle should not be operated by the mobile phone’s keypad; otherwise malfunctions may occur.
For your safety
A car phone makes life more convenient in many ways, and can even save lives in an emergency. While you should consult your mobile phone’s separate owner’s manual for a detailed description of safety precautions and information, we request that you direct your particular attention to the following:
⚠ Only make entries when the traffic situation allows you to do so. Do not hold the mobile phone in your hand while you are driving; use the handsfree system instead. If you do not observe this precaution, your being distracted can endanger vehicle occupants and other road users.
Suitable mobile phones
Ask your BMW center which mobile phones with a Bluetooth interface are supported by the mobile phone preparation package or which mobile phones will fit in the snap-in adapters they offer. These mobile phones support the functions described in this Owner’s Manual, provided they are running a certain software
version. Malfunctions can occur with other mobile phones.
Care instructions
You can find what you need to know about caring for your mobile phone in the separate Caring for your vehicle brochure and in the mobile phone operating instructions.
Operating options
You can operate the mobile phone* using:
- The steering wheel
- iDrive
- Voice commands
Making calls with car phone: BMW Assist calls
You can use the car phone via the handsfree system for BMW Assist calls. When the status information “BMW Assist” or “BMW Service” is displayed in “Communication”, only BMW Assist calls are possible. It may not be possible to establish a telephone connection using the mobile phone while a connection is being established to BMW Assist or while a call to BMW Assist is already in progress. If this happens, you must unpair the mobile phone and the vehicle if you wish to place a call with the mobile phone.
Initial operation
Logging on mobile phone on vehicle
The following prerequisites must be met:
- The mobile phone is ready to operate.
- The Bluetooth links of the vehicle, and the mobile phone are active.
- Depending on the mobile phone, presets in the mobile phone are required: e.g. activated via the menu item Bluetooth or the menu item Connection not with confirmation.
- To log on, specify any desired number as the Bluetooth passkey, e.g. 1. This Bluetooth passkey is no longer required following successful logon.
- The ignition is switched on.
⚠ Only log on the mobile phone with the vehicle stopped; otherwise you may become distracted and inadvertently endanger your passengers and other road users.
Switching on ignition
- Insert the remote control as far as possible into the ignition lock.
- Switch on the switch on ignition by pressing the Start/Stop button without depressing the brake or clutch pedal.
Preparation with iDrive
- Press the MENU button to open the start menu.
- Open the I menu by pressing the controller.
- Select “Communication settings” and press the controller.
- Select “Bluetooth” and press the controller
- Select “Phone” and press the controller.
Preparation with mobile phone
- Additional operations must be carried out on the mobile phone and differ depending on the model, refer to the operating instructions of your mobile phone, e.g. find, connect or link under Bluetooth device.
Logging on
Depending on your mobile phone, first, the display of your mobile phone and then the Control Display will ask you to enter the Bluetooth passkey you specified. Display on the Control Display if the Bluetooth passkey can be entered with iDrive:
- Select “Add device” and press the controller.
- Enter the Bluetooth passkey. Depending on the mobile phone, approx. 30 seconds are available for entering the Bluetooth passkey on the mobile phone and on the Control Display.
- Select “Confirm passkey” and press the controller.
- Wait a few seconds until the list of the logged-on mobile phones is shown on the Control Display and “Phone” is selected.
To cancel the logon of the mobile phone on the vehicle: Select “Refuse connection” and press the controller. The next time you use the mobile phone in the vehicle interior, it will be detected within a maximum of two minutes with the engine running or the ignition switched on.
As soon as a mobile phone is detected by the vehicle, the phone book entries stored on the SIM card or on your mobile phone are transferred to your vehicle, refer to the operating instructions of your mobile phone if necessary.
This transfer depends on your mobile phone, refer to the operating instructions of your mobile phone if necessary, and can take several minutes. Up to four mobile phones can be logged on consecutively. If you log on a fifth mobile phone, the logon data of the last mobile phone in the list will be deleted, refer to below.
List of logged-on mobile phones
All mobile phones for which the vehicle has stored the logon data can be displayed. If several logged-on mobile phones are detected by the vehicle simultaneously, you can operate the mobile phone highest up in the list via the vehicle.
You can change the order of the mobile phones in the list. As long as a mobile phone is selected in this list, the mobile phones cannot be operated via the vehicle.
- Press the MENU button to open the start menu.
- Open the I menu by pressing the controller.
- Select “Communication settings” and press the controller.
- Select “Bluetooth” and press the controller.
- Select “Phone” and press the controller.
- Select the desired mobile phone and press the controller.
- Select “Move device up” and press the controller. The selected mobile phone is move upward by one
position.
Logging mobile phone off vehicle
If you no longer want to operate your mobile phone via the vehicle, you can delete the logon data of the mobile phone.
- Press the MENU button to open the start menu.
- Open the I menu by pressing the controller.
- Select “Communication settings” and
press the controller. - Select “Bluetooth” and press the controller.
- Select “Phone” and press the controller.
- Select the desired mobile phone and press the controller.
- Select “Delete device” and press the controller. The logged-off mobile phone is deleted from the list.
The phone book entries you have transferred from your mobile phone to your vehicle are also deleted in the process.
Activating/deactivating Bluetooth link
▶ Bluetooth technology is not approved in all countries. Observe the applicable local regulations. Temporarily disconnect the Bluetooth link between the vehicle and the mobile phone if necessary.
If the Bluetooth link is deactivated, you cannot operate your mobile phone via the vehicle and the mobile phone can use other devices with a Bluetooth interface, e.g. a laptop computer. To temporarily deactivate the Bluetooth link between your vehicle and your mobile phone:
- Remove the mobile phone from the snap-in adapter and switch it off.
- Press the MENU button to open the start menu.
- Select the I menu and press the controller.
- Select “Communication settings” and press the controller.
- Select “Bluetooth” and press the controller.
- Select “Settings” and press the controller. the Bluetooth link is activated.
- Select “Bluetooth communication active” and press the controller to activate or deactivate the link.
Adjusting volume
Turn the knob during a call to select the desired volume. This volume for the handsfree system is maintained, even if the other audio sources are set to minimum volume. You can also adjust the volume with buttons on the steering wheel. The setting is stored for the remote control currently in use.
Operation via iDrive
You can operate the following functions via iDrive:
- Dial the phone number.
- Dial phone numbers from the phone book.
- Select stored phone numbers, e.g. from the list of accepted calls.
- Hang up
With the ignition and radio readiness switched off, e.g. after removing the remote control, you can continue an ongoing call for a maximum of 25 minutes via the handsfree system.
Requirements
The logon data of the mobile phone are stored in the vehicle and the mobile phone is ready to operate.
The engine is running or the ignition is switched on. The mobile phone is detected by the vehicle. iDrive, for principle details.
- Press the MENU button.
This opens the start menu.
- Move the controller forward to open “Communication”.
Receiving calls
If you have the phone number of the caller stored in the phone book and the phone number has been transmitted, the name of the entry is displayed.
Accepting a call
Select “Accept” and press the controller.
Rejecting a call
Select “Reject” and press the controller. The caller is diverted to your mailbox if it has been activated.
Calling
Dialing phone numbers
- Select “Phone” and press the controller.
- Select “Dial” and press the controller.
- Enter the desired phone number by dialing the individual digits and pressing the controller.
Always enter the complete phone number consisting of national dialing code, area code, and phone number.
The letters correspond to the digits on the keypad of the mobile phone. To delete an incorrect character:
Move the controller to the right to select and press the controller.
- Select “Dial number” and press the controller.
Ending a call
- Select the phone number and press the controller.
- Select “End call” and press the controller.
Dialing a phone number from phone book or a phone number stored in a list
Phone numbers you have called, incoming calls and the entries of the phone book are stored in lists when the mobile phone is connected to the vehicle via Bluetooth. If the caller is entered in the phone book, the name of the entry is displayed instead of the phone number. You can select the desired subscriber from the
list and establish the connection.
Five lists are available:
- “A – Z” The entries of the mobile-phone phone book, consisting of the name and phone number, are sorted alphabetically.
- “Top 8” The eight numbers called most frequently from the phone book “A – Z” are automatically stored in the Top 8 list. The list is sorted according to frequency.
- “Redial” The last eight phone numbers you have dialed are automatically stored. The last number dialed is at the top of the list.
- “Missed calls” The phone numbers of the last eight calls which were not accepted are stored. This requires the telephone number of the caller to have been sent.
- “Received calls” The phone numbers of the last eight accepted calls are stored. This requires the telephone number of the caller to have been sent.
Dialing phone numbers from phone book
The list “A – Z” is available for you phone book entries. The phone book entries appear on the Control Display.
- Select “Phone” and press the controller.
- Select “A – Z” and press the controller.
- To limit the number of displayed entries, select the first letter of the desired entry and press the controller.
- Select the desired entry and press the controller.
- Select “Call” and press the controller. The system dials the number.
If different phone numbers are stored in the mobile phone under one name, e.g. office and home, the name is shown once for each phone number.
You can change a phone number stored in the phone book, e.g. to call a specific extension:
- Select “Phone” and press the controller.
- Select “A – Z” and press the controller.
- Select the desired entry and press the controller.
- Select “Add digits” and press the controller.
- Change the phone number.
- Select “Dial number” and press the controller.
Dialing phone numbers stored in a list
To select an entry and establish a connection:
- Select “Phone” and press the controller.
- Select list and press the controller:
- “Top 8”
- “Redial”
- “Missed calls”
- “Received calls”
- Select the desired entry and press the controller.
- Select “Call” and press the controller. The system dials the number.
Deleting individual entries
- Select the desired entry from the list and press the controller.
- Select “Delete” and press the controller. The entry is deleted.
Deleting the entire list
- Select an entry from the list and press thecontroller.
- Select “Delete all numbers” and press the controller.
- If applicable, select “Yes” and press the controller. The list is deleted.
Touch tone dialing
The touch tone code is required for access to network services or for controlling devices, e.g. remote checking of an answering machine. This function is available when a connection has been established.
- Establish connection.
- Press the controller.
- Select “Keypad” and press the controller.
- Select the desired character and press the controller.
Each character is sent immediately and confirmed by a tone depending the mobile phone model.
Changing between mobile phone and handsfree system
From mobile phone to handsfree system
You can continue calls begun outside the Bluetooth range of the vehicle via the handsfree system when the motor is running or the ignition is switched on. Depending on your mobile phone, the system automatically switches over to the handsfree mode.
For mobile phones that do not automatically switch over to the handsfree mode:
- You may also be able to continue the conversation via the handsfree system, depending on the mobile phone used. Follow the instructions displayed on the mobile phone display, refer to the operating instructions of your mobile phone.
- Press the button above the storage compartment. Switching over may take several seconds.
From handsfree system to mobile phone
When you telephone via the handsfree system, you can also continue the call via the mobile phone if necessary, depending on the mobile phone model. Follow the instructions displayed on the mobile phone display, refer to the operating instructions of your mobile phone.
Operation by voice*
The concept
You can operate your mobile phone without having to remove your hands from the steering wheel. When making your entries, you will be assisted by announcements and questions in many cases. The same prerequisites as for operation via iDrive apply.
Symbols in Owner’s Manual
{…} Say the specified commands word for word. {{…}} Indicates responses of the system.
Voice commands
Activating system
- Press the button on the steering wheel. An acoustic signal indicates that you can say commands.
- Say the command. The text or numbers that the voice command system has registered will appear on the Control Display.
Ending/canceling operation by voice
Press the button on the steering wheel or {Cancel}. In dialogs where text is spoken, not a command,
e.g. a name, canceling is only possible using the button on the steering wheel.
Having possible commands read aloud
The system understands default commands that must be spoken word for word. You can have the system read aloud the possible commands at any point: {Help}.
Using alternative commands
There are often a number of commands to run a function, e.g.:
{Dial name} or {Name}.
The system recognizes digits from zero to nine. You can say each digit individually or group them into a sequence to accelerate the input.
Example: dialing phone numbers
Start the dialog: Press the button on the steering wheel.
Adjusting volume
You can adjust the volume for the instructions from the system:
Turn the button during an instruction to select the desired volume. This volume for the instructions is maintained, even if the other audio sources are set to minimum volume. The setting is stored for the remote control currently in use.
Calling
Dialing phone numbers
- {Dial number}. The dialog for establishing a telephone connection is opened.
- Say the phone number. For telephone calls abroad, say {Plus} and then the country code.
- {Dial}. The connection to the desired subscriber is established.
Correcting phone number
After the last spoken sequence of digits has been repeated by the system, you can delete this sequence of digits. {Correct number}. The digits are deleted. The command {Correct number} can be repeated as often as you like.
Deleting input
{Delete} is used to delete all the digits entered so far.
Voice phone book
Operating by voice command requires a personal voice phone book.
- On vehicles with separate drives for audio CDs and navigation DVDs, the entries are automatically adopted from your mobile phone’s memory.
- On vehicles with a shared drive for audio CDs and navigation DVDs, the entries must be entered by voice and are independent of your mobile phone’s memory. In this case, it is not possible to use voice command either to call phone numbers stored in the mobile phone or to store new numbers.
Creating and editing voice phone book*
Save entry: An entry always consists of a name and phone number.
- {Save name}. The dialog for storing a name is opened.
- Speak name and repeat entry upon request. The spoken length of the names in the phone book must not exceed approx. 2 seconds.
- Say the phone number when prompted.
- To store the phone number: {Save}.
Delete entry: You can delete any entry from the voice phone book
- {Delete name}. The dialog for deleting an entry is opened.
- Say the name when prompted.
- Confirm the prompt with {Yes}.
Delete all entries: {Delete phone book} deletes all entries in the phone book.
- {Delete phone book}. The dialog for deleting phone book is opened.
- Confirm the prompt with {Yes}.
- Confirm the repeated prompt with {Yes}.
Have entries read aloud and select: You can have all the entries of your voice phone book read aloud in the order of input and select a certain entry to establish a connection:
- {Read phone book}. The dialog for reading phone book is opened.
- {Dial number} when the desired entry is read aloud.
Selecting an entry
The connection to the phone number of the selected entry is established.
- {Dial name}. The dialog for selecting an entry is opened.
- Say the name when prompted.
- Confirm the prompt with {Yes}.
Redialing
The {Redial} command calls up “Redial”.
Notes
▶ The commands in English were available as of this printing. Other languages are currently not available. To operate the mobile phone via the voice command system.
Important for voice commands
For voice commands, keep the following in mind:
- Issue the commands smoothly and at normal volume, avoiding excessive emphasis and pauses.
- Keep the doors, windows and glass sunroof closed to prevent interference from ambient noise.
- Avoid making other noise in the vehicle while speaking.
Mounting/removing snap-in adapter
1. Press the area 1 around the button and remove the cover.
2. Insert the snap-in adapter at the front and press down until it engages.
To remove the snap-in adapter: Press the area 1 around the button.
Inserting mobile phone
- Remove the protective cap from the mobile phone’s antenna connector if necessary, so that the mobile phone can engage in the snap-in adapter.
- With the keys facing upward, press the mobile phone toward the electrical connections and press down until it engages.
The mobile phone’s battery is charged with the ignition switch at radio readiness or higher or with the steering unlocked.
▶ To protect the vehicle’s batteries, avoid using the phone when the ignition is switched off.
Removing mobile phone
Press button.
