Having recently purchased a 2006 model 750i Sport, I have spent many days researching this (and other) forums to find out loads of really useful things that the owners manual doesn't tell you.
In doing so, it struck me that nobody has ever made one single post with all of the clever hidden menus and features together. So, here it is. I hope that it will be of use and save other users the time that I have spent finding all of this!
Hidden Menus & Features in E65 7 Series.
To access the hidden BMW Service Menu;
1) Put the key in the ignition.
2) Press and hold the trip reset button. *ABS light comes on then goes out, keep holding the button in.
3) When the hidden service menu appears in the instrument binnacle, press trip button several times until option 19 'unlocking' is selected, then press and hold.
4) Tap until the number that is the cumulative number of the last 5 digits of the vehicle VIN added together (in my case 10) is shown, then press and hold to unlock menu.
5) Select desired option by pressing trip button, then access item by holding button in.
6) 'System Test' shows all dashboard symbols and graphics (quite cool!)
7)*To exit service menu, press and hold trip button from main menu.
To access the hidden iDrive Settings Menu;
1) From main menu screen, press and hold iDrive controller for 6 secs.
2) Turn 3 clicks clockwise, then 3 clicks anticlockwise.
3) Turn 1 click clockwise, then 1 click anticlockwise.
4) Turn 1 click clockwise and then press down on controller.
To sync a remote key to the car;
1) Close the door, and fasten your seatbelt.
2) Insert the key into the slot in the steering column.
3) Hold down the unlock button on the dash-- don't press the brake pedal --
4) Whilst holding the unlock button press the engine start/stop button to turn on the "ignition on" position. This is when all of the dash indicators come on. Continue holding unlock button.
5) After about 10 seconds the "gong" will sound. At this point you can release the lock button and remove the key from the ignition.
6) Lock the car using the buttons on the key fob and let the car go to sleep (up to 20 mins).
To reset Transmission to factory default;
1) Insert key (don't put foot on brake).
2) Press 'Start' button once, but do not start engine.
3) Press accelerator pedal down to floor and hold for 25 secs.
4) Remove foot from accelerator and place,on brake pedal. Start engine & drive car normally.
5) Note - over time, transmission will 'learn' your driving style and adapt to it, so repeat regularly if experiencing any problems.
To call up Check Control Messages;
1) Press and hold in top computer button on end of indicator stalk.
2) Last warning message shows.
3) Each tap of the button scrolls through the fault log history.
To temporarily extinguish orange display panels on dash (fuel & computer) for 'dark dashboard' when driving;
1) Press and hold in bottom button on end of indicator stalk.
2) Press again to bring back displays.
To reset the Sunroof;
1) Press and hold 'tilt up' button for at least 25 secs.
2) Sunroof tilts open, closes, then fully opens and closes.
3) Keep button pressed until sequence finishes.
In doing so, it struck me that nobody has ever made one single post with all of the clever hidden menus and features together. So, here it is. I hope that it will be of use and save other users the time that I have spent finding all of this!
Hidden Menus & Features in E65 7 Series.
To access the hidden BMW Service Menu;
1) Put the key in the ignition.
2) Press and hold the trip reset button. *ABS light comes on then goes out, keep holding the button in.
3) When the hidden service menu appears in the instrument binnacle, press trip button several times until option 19 'unlocking' is selected, then press and hold.
4) Tap until the number that is the cumulative number of the last 5 digits of the vehicle VIN added together (in my case 10) is shown, then press and hold to unlock menu.
5) Select desired option by pressing trip button, then access item by holding button in.
6) 'System Test' shows all dashboard symbols and graphics (quite cool!)
7)*To exit service menu, press and hold trip button from main menu.
To access the hidden iDrive Settings Menu;
1) From main menu screen, press and hold iDrive controller for 6 secs.
2) Turn 3 clicks clockwise, then 3 clicks anticlockwise.
3) Turn 1 click clockwise, then 1 click anticlockwise.
4) Turn 1 click clockwise and then press down on controller.
To sync a remote key to the car;
1) Close the door, and fasten your seatbelt.
2) Insert the key into the slot in the steering column.
3) Hold down the unlock button on the dash-- don't press the brake pedal --
4) Whilst holding the unlock button press the engine start/stop button to turn on the "ignition on" position. This is when all of the dash indicators come on. Continue holding unlock button.
5) After about 10 seconds the "gong" will sound. At this point you can release the lock button and remove the key from the ignition.
6) Lock the car using the buttons on the key fob and let the car go to sleep (up to 20 mins).
To reset Transmission to factory default;
1) Insert key (don't put foot on brake).
2) Press 'Start' button once, but do not start engine.
3) Press accelerator pedal down to floor and hold for 25 secs.
4) Remove foot from accelerator and place,on brake pedal. Start engine & drive car normally.
5) Note - over time, transmission will 'learn' your driving style and adapt to it, so repeat regularly if experiencing any problems.
To call up Check Control Messages;
1) Press and hold in top computer button on end of indicator stalk.
2) Last warning message shows.
3) Each tap of the button scrolls through the fault log history.
To temporarily extinguish orange display panels on dash (fuel & computer) for 'dark dashboard' when driving;
1) Press and hold in bottom button on end of indicator stalk.
2) Press again to bring back displays.
To reset the Sunroof;
1) Press and hold 'tilt up' button for at least 25 secs.
2) Sunroof tilts open, closes, then fully opens and closes.
3) Keep button pressed until sequence finishes.
