Electrical systems: Body

The following systems are described under "Body electrics/electronics":

• Power supply 

  Two software functions are of fundamental importance for the power supply:

  • Energy management

    The energy management system ensures that sufficient starting power is always available. Energy management monitors the vehicle even when the engine is not running.

    The energy management system monitors all components in the vehicle which generate, store and consume energy.

  • Power management

    The power management system is a subsystem of the energy management system. Power management is controlled by the engine control unit (DME or DDE: digital engine electronics or digital diesel electronics).

    While the vehicle is in motion, power management regulates the output of the alternator and the battery charge.

  • Intelligent alternator regulation see Chapter Drive

  The central element of the power supply is the junction box. The junction box consists of a power distributor and a control unit, the Junction Box Electronics (JBE).

  There is a power distributor in the luggage compartment: the rear fuse block. The fuse block is attached to the vehicle battery by a retaining clip.

• Car Access System 

  In addition to the CAS control unit, the following components are also installed.

  • START-STOP unit, comprising the START-STOP button and the remote control holder
  • Electric steering lock (ELV, not on US version)

  A new generation of electronic immobilizer is being introduced on vehicles with spark-ignition engine (4th generation EWS)

  The 4th generation EWS is an advanced development of the previous electronic immobilizer. This advanced development uses an innovative, state-of-the-art encoding method.

  Each vehicle is assigned a 128 bit secret code. This secret code is stored in a BMW database. The secret code is thus known only to BMW.

  The secret code is programmed and locked in the following control units:

  • CAS control unit
  • DME/DDE control unit

  When the secret code is locked in the control units, it cannot be cleared or changed. This means that each control unit is assigned to a specific vehicle. The control units identify themselves with the secret code and with the same algorithm.

  The CAS is also responsible for terminal management and the comfort start. Moreover, the CAS is the master control unit for various system functions such as central locking and power windows.

• Central locking system 

  The central locking system is the central vehicle access system. The central locking system enables the opening or closing of the vehicle.

  The central locking system manages:

  • all vehicle doors
  • the upper section of the two part back hatch
  • the tank flap
  • the electrically lockable glove compartment

  The central locking system can be actuated via the following components:

  • Remote control
  • Locking cylinder, driver's door (door lock)
  • Central locking button
  • Tailgate, external button
  • Identification transponder and outside door handle electronics with comfort access

  As soon as the upper tailgate is open, the lower tailgate can also be opened. The lower tailgate must be unlocked and opened/closed and locked manually (mechanically).

  The Car Access System (CAS) is the master control unit for the central locking system.

  The Junction Box Electronics (JBE) actuates the central locking system drives (including unlocking of the glove compartment).

  The Automatic Soft Closer is available as an optional extra for all doors from 10/2007.

• Automatic Soft Closer 

  The Automatic Soft Closer is available as an optional extra for all doors from 10/2007.

  The Automatic Soft Closer in the tailgate comes as standard.

  The special feature of the Automatic Soft Closer is that the lock is linked to the Automatic Soft Closer by a Bowden cable.

  The Automatic Soft Closer can be activated from terminal 30g ON. The vehicle door only has to be gently drawn into the locked. The Automatic Soft Closer then starts and finishes closes the vehicle door.

  The drives for the Automatic Soft Closer are only connected to Terminal 30g and the Ground. These means that the drives are not diagnosable.

  As the Automatic Soft Closer is not active until the door gap is 6 mm (in the prelocking position), no anti-trap protection is required.

  Even if the door has been completely closed during the closing procedure, the drive turns over one more time to exclude the risk of false closing.

• Comfort Access 

  Like the various BMW model series, the vehicle now has a Comfort Access system.

  Comfort Access can be used to carry out the following functions:

  • Passive Entry

    Opening the vehicle or upper tailgate without actively using the ID transmitter

  • Passive Go

    Engine start without actively using the ID transmitter

  • Passive Exit

    Closing the vehicle without actively using the ID transmitter

  Comfort Access is based on the comfort access system from the BMW 3 Series. By placing the hand in the recess behind the door handle, the vehicle can be unlocked and then opened.

  By touching the sensitive surfaces of the door handle, the vehicle can be locked. With vehicles with Automatic Soft Closer, the drive for Automatic Soft Closer completely closes the vehicle door. The vehicle can then be locked by touching the sensitive surfaces of the vehicle.

  New from 10/2007: 

  The optional extra "Comfort Access" can also be ordered for the Japanese market version. The remote control is enabled with a frequency of 315 MHz.

• Tailgate lift 

  The electric tailgate lift is offered in the E70 from 10/07. For the first time, a system with spindle drive is being used.

  The upper tailgate can be automatically opened or closed by pressing a button. The lower tailgate is opened as previously manually.

  The opening angle of the tailgate can be predefined in 5 steps via a menu in the Central Information Display with the Controller. The tailgate is thereby raised only to the predefined angle.

  The tailgate lift control unit (HKL) is installed in the luggage area on the right on the device carrier. The tailgate lift controls and monitors the action of the tailgate lift.

  By pressing one of the tailgate buttons the tailgate is automatically opened or closed.

  The tailgate button in the switch cluster of the center console is excepted from this. This switch can only be used for automatic opening.

• Power windows 

  The power windows use the familiar technology.

  The Car Access System (CAS) is the master control unit for the power window.

  The functions of the power windows are:

  • Opening and closing
  • Opening and closing with one-touch control function.
  • Auto-remote opening and convenience closing
  • Indirect anti-trap function
  • Panic mode
  • Load deactivation at Terminal 50
  • Overheating protection for power-window motors

  The FRM (footwell module) actuates the power window

• Anti-theft alarm system 

  The anti-theft alarm system warns of unauthorized access to the vehicle by an alarm.

  The alarm can be acoustically and optically triggered.

  In an activated condition, the anti-theft alarm system monitors the passenger compartment of the vehicle. In addition the engine compartment, the luggage compartment as well as the vehicle inclination are monitored.

  The ultrasonic interior movement detector of the anti-theft alarm system is integrated in the Roof Control Centre (FZD).

  The emergency power siren with tilt alarm sensor is located in the front wheel housing. The Roof Control Centre (FZD) activates the emergency power siren via the K-Bus.

  New from 10/2007: 

  Also in the European version in compliance with legal requirements a repeat alarm is being introduced.

• Door mirrors 

  The door mirrors are offered in 2 versions.

  As standard the door mirrors can be electrically adjusted. The door mirrors have a mirror heater.

  Additional functions are available as optional extras:

  • Folding in of door mirrors
  • Electrochrome door mirrors
  • Memory function, door mirrors
  • Automatic parking function, door mirror, front-passenger side

  The door mirrors are directly connected via the LIN bus to the footwell module (FRM).

• Door mirror camera 
  • Japan version only 

  From the driver side a certain area of the front-passenger side cannot be viewed.

  The view is obscured by the door mirror and the A-pillar. So that this area can still be viewed, the front-passenger door mirror is equipped with the door mirror camera.

  The door mirror camera can be switched on or off by pressing the button in the center console switch cluster.

  The picture from the door mirror camera is relayed via the video switch (VSW) to the Central Information Display (CID). The videos witch is necessary as the Car Communication Computer (CCC) may require up to 20 seconds to boot up.

  The opening angle of the door mirror camera along the vehicle transverse axis is about 130°. The opening angle of the door mirror camera along the vehicle longitudinal axis is about 90°.

• Reversing camera 

  The reversing camera is designed to support the driver in driving into and out of parking spots as well as in maneuvering. A high resolution, wide angle image of the area behind the vehicle is taken (approx. 120°).

  The reversing camera comes with a series of additional customer functions. These include: Lane guidelines, turning circle lines, obstacle markings, zoom for trailer hitch.

  The reversing camera is accommodated in the handle strip in the tailgate offset to the right.

  Depending on the travel speed (5 km/h) various picture sections are displayed in the vertical direction. This software function is described as virtual camera panning.

  New from 10/2007: 

  An automatic video switch is being introduced.

  The videomultiplexer is a hardware solution to switching between two video sources in the vehicle. The reversing camera is the master control device.

  The slave is the DVD changer.

  The signal changeover is controlled by the video signal arriving at the automatic videomultiplexer.

  This means that the reversing camera can be offered in conjunction with the DVD changer even without the "TV function" optional extra.

• Park Distance Control 

  Park Distance Control (PDC) is a familiar technology.

  The distance to obstacles is measured by 4 ultrasonic sensors in the rear as well as 4 in the front bumper. The acoustic distance signal is provided by loudspeaker in the tail and front of the vehicle. The closer the vehicle gets to the obstacle the greater the signal frequency.

  With very close obstacles (approx. 30 cm) a constant tone is produced. The graphic distance signalling is produced by the Central Information Display CID.

  The Park Distance Control can be switched on and off via a switch in the center console switch cluster.

  In comparison with predecessor models, the following changes should be noted: new ultrasonic sensors and a new control device.

  The reversing camera can be combined with the data that is available to the Park Distance Control. Thus obstacles that are identified by the Park Distance Control can be displayed in the realtime display of the reversing camera.

• Trailer module 

  The maximum load for the trailer hitch is 3.5 t (only ECE, not N52B30O1). The ball coupling can be removed.

  The trailer module (AHM) is connected to the body CAN (K-CAN).

  In the U.S. version, the trailer hitch is offered as a retrofit.

  The trailer stabilization control is activated in conjunction with the trailer hitch. This function is integrated in the chassis control system and recognizes the presence of a trailer when a plug is inserted in the trailer socket.

  If the trailer begins to snake, all four wheels are automatically braked and the engine output is reduced.

  This stabilizes the car-trailer unit in the shortest possible time.

• Panorama glass sunroof 

  The Roof Control Centre (FZD) receives signals from other control units for the functions of the panorama glass roof.

  The executive control unit is the Roof Control Centre. The FZD actuates the drives of the panorama glass roof. At the same time, the speeds of the drives is monitored. The following functions of the panorama glass roof are integrated in the Roof Control Centre:

  • Reading in control requests
  • Opening and closing the panorama glass roof and the sliding panel
  • Anti-trap circuit
  • Blocking protection
  • Panic mode
  • Load deactivation during the start-up procedure
  • Locating lamp, terminal 58g
  • Initialization
• Exterior lighting 

  The exterior lighting comprises the familiar standard equipment as well as optional extras such as automatic headlight control, adaptive headlight or highbeam assistant.

  New functions of the exterior lighting are:

  • Turning light in the foglight, additional scope of the SA 524 "adaptive headlight"

    During turning, an inside foglight is automatically activated that shines in the direction of turning via an additional reflector. The turning light is activated according to the parameters steering angle, driving speed and flashing. In the process, a segment of up to 90° is illuminated.

  • Daylight driving lights via optoconductive rings

    The daylight driving light is country-specific and is activated from Terminal 15 ON. The daylight driving light can be activated/deactivated via personal profile (not in U.S. version).

    In the case of bi-xenon headlights, both the daylight driving light and the parking light are generated by an optoconductive ring illuminated from behind. A part of the lighting current is diverted via light conductors into the light conducting ring for the dipped beam headlight.

  • Welcome light

    Here, the side lights are switched on for a maximum of 20 seconds when the vehicle is unlocked. The switching time can be increased to up to 60 seconds via the personal profiles. The following light sources are actuated: Tail light, light conducting rings in the headlight, side markers, inside lighting, headlight coverage.

  The FRM (footwell module) actuates the exterior lighting.

  With the optional extras "Adaptive Headlight" or "Vertical Dynamic Management" the footwell module is also connected to the chassis CAN (F-CAN). This supports optimum adjustment of the adaptive headlight.

• Mainbeam assistant 

  The mainbeam assistant assists the driver to operate the mainbeam headlights.

  With the aid of the mainbeam assistant, the headlight is automatically switched on and off in response to the traffic situation.

  The mainbeam assistant recognizes approaching and preceding vehicles as well as built-up areas with continuous street lighting. By automatically switching off the mainbeam headlights in good time, the mainbeam assistant ensures that the occupants of oncoming vehicles, for example, are not dazzled by the headlights.