Driving a BMW 650i is a unique and enjoyable experience, and it’s important to keep in mind certain safety tips to ensure a smooth and safe ride. Whether you are a seasoned driver or a beginner, here are some key things to remember when driving your BMW 650i.
Breaking-in
Moving parts need time to adjust to one another. To ensure that your vehicle continues to provide optimized economy of operation throughout an extended service life, we request that you devote careful attention to the following section.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at changing engine and driving speeds, however do not exceed 4,500 rpm or 100 mph/ 160 km/h. Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the transmission’s kick-down mode during these initial miles.
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km
The engine and vehicle speed can gradually be increased.
SMG Sequential Manual Transmission
Do not use the acceleration assistant during the break-in period.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their manufacture, tires do not achieve their full traction potential until after an initial break-in period. Therefore, drive reservedly during the first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized contact and wear patterns between brake pads and rotors. Drive in a reserved manner during this break-in period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch is only at its optimized level after a distance driven of approx. 300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period, engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
Observe the break-in instructions again if components mentioned above must be replaced after subsequent driving operation.
General driving notes
Closing luggage compartment lid
Only drive with the luggage compartment lid completely closed, otherwise exhaust can penetrate into the passenger compartment. If special circumstances should make it absolutely necessary to operate the vehicle with the luggage compartment lid open:
1 Coupe: close both windows and the glass sunroof. Convertible: with closed top, close all windows.
2 Increase the air volume of the automatic climate control to a high level.
Air volume, manual
You can adjust the air volume by turning. You can reactivate the automatic mode for the air volume with the AUTO button.
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles, extremely high temperatures are generated in the exhaust system. Do not remove the heat shields installed adjacent to it, and never apply undercoating to them. When driving, standing at idle and while parking, take care to avoid possible contact between the hot exhaust system and any highly flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass, etc.
Such contact could lead to a fire, and with it the risk of serious property damage as well as personal injury. Do not touch hot exhaust tail pipes. Otherwise there is a risk of burns.
Mobile communications devices in vehicle
BMW advises against using mobile communications devices, e.g. mobile phones, inside the vehicle without a direct connection to an external antenna. Otherwise, the vehicle electronics and mobile communications device can interfere with each other. In addition, there is no assurance that the radiation emitted during transmission will be conveyed out of the vehicle interior.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads, reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge of water can form between tires and road surface. This phenomenon is referred to as hydroplaning, and is characterized by a partial or complete loss of contact between the tires and the road surface, ultimately undermining your ability to steer and brake the vehicle.The risk of hydroplaning increases as the tread depth of the tires decreases.
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the road if it is deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only at walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the vehicle’s engine, the electrical systems and the transmission may be damaged.
Using handbrake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle with the clutch; use the handbrake. Otherwise, greater clutch wear will result.
SMG Sequential Manual Transmission
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 transmission region.
Starting assistant
The starting assistant enables you to start off conveniently on slopes. The handbrake is not required for this purpose.
1 Hold the vehicle with the footbrake
2 Release the footbrake and drive off quickly.
The starting assistant holds the vehicle for approx. 2 seconds after releasing the footbrake. Depending on the load, the vehicle may also roll back slightly during this time. After releasing the footbrake, drive off quickly, otherwise the starting assistant no longer holds the vehicle after approx. 2 seconds and it begins to roll back.
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard feature. In situations that require it, it is best to brake with full force. Since the vehicle maintains steering responsiveness, you can still avoid possible obstacles with a minimum of steering effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combines with sounds from the hydraulic circuits to indicate to the driver that ABS is in its active mode. Do not drive with your foot resting on the brake pedal. Even light but consistent pedal pressure can lead to high temperatures, brake wear and possibly even brake failure.
Driving in wet conditions
When driving on wet roads or in heavy rain, it is a good idea to apply light pressure to the brake pedal every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to ensure that this maneuver does not endanger other road users. The heat generated in this process helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure that full braking efficiency will then be available when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and thus reduced efficiency of the brake system, downshift to a gear in which only minimal brake applications are needed when descending long or steep downhill stretches. Even light but consistent pressure on the brake pedal can lead to high temperatures, brake wear and possibly even brake failure.
The braking effect of the engine can be further increased by downshifting, if necessary all the way down into first gear. This strategy helps you avoid placing excessive loads on the brake system.
Do not drive with the clutch depressed, in idle or with the engine switched off, otherwise there will be no engine braking action or support of the braking force and steering. Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other objects to protrude into the area of movement of the pedals and impair their operation.
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally, during extended periods when the vehicle is not used at all, and in operating conditions where brake applications are less frequent, there is an increased tendency for corrosion to form on rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the brake pads.
This occurs because the minimum pressure which must be exerted by the pads during brake applications to clean the rotors is not reached. Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating effect that even extended application will fail to cure.
When vehicle is parked
Condensation forms in the automatic climate control during operation, and then exits under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water under the vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
To prevent the exterior mirrors on this vehicle from being damaged, always fold them in by hand before entering an automatic car wash. General information on the care and maintenance of your BMW is contained in the Caring for your vehicle brochure.
Automatic transmission
Insert the remote control into the ignition lock. The engine can be switched off in selector lever position N.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their approved carrying capacity, never overload the vehicle. Overloading can lead to overheating and increases the rate at which damage develops inside the tires. The ultimate result can assume the form of a sudden blow-out.
Determining loading limit
1 Locate the following statement on your vehicle’s placard*:
The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed YYY lbs. or XXX kg, as otherwise the vehicle may be damaged and unstable driving conditions may result.
2 Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3 Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX lbs. or YYY kg.
4 The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the XXX amount equals 800 lbs. and there will be four 150-lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 200 lbs.: 800 lbs. minus 600 lbs. = 200 lbs.
5 Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in step 4.
6 If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of the load from your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult the manual for transporting a trailer to determine how this may reduce the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle
The permissible load is the total of the weight of occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the weight of occupants, the less cargo/luggage can be transported.
Stowing cargo
> Place heavy cargo as far forward and as low as possible, placing it directly behind the bulkhead behind the rear seats.
> Cover sharp edges and corners.
Securing cargo
> Use the luggage net* or securing straps to hold down small and lightweight luggage and cargo.
> Heavy-duty cargo straps* for securing larger and heavier objects are available at your BMW center. Four lashing eyes mounted in the luggage compartment are used to secure these heavy-duty cargo straps, refer to arrows.
> Please observe the special instructions supplied with the heavy-duty cargo straps.
Position and secure the cargo as described above, so that it cannot endanger the vehicle’s occupants, for example if sudden braking or evasive maneuvers are necessary. When fastening lashings, use only the lashing eyes, refer to illustration; otherwise, the lashings could come loose or you could damage the vehicle.
Never exceed the approved gross vehicle weight or either of the approved axle loads, as excessive loads can pose a safety hazard, and may also put you in violation of freeway safety laws.
You should never transport unsecured heavy or hard objects in the passenger compartment, as they could fly around and pose a safety hazard to the vehicle’s occupants during abrupt braking or evasive maneuvers.
Pad on base of luggage compartment
You can use the pad as needed, for example to transport soiled objects. The rubberized side is washable and has an anti-skid effect