2006 325i.
Today I went to a nearby shop (they don’t specialize in BMWs) to get my oil changed. The aesthetic of the display had changed by the time I had departed.
It used to show how many miles were left (e.g., if I had a half tank of gas, it would show something like “232 mls”). Now, it regularly shows “27.6 mpg.”
I’d rather have it the other way around. Can I reset it myself, or do I need to take it to a business that specializes in BMWs?
In This Article...
How to modify the new digital BMW instrument panel in the video
A few years ago, BMW unveiled a brand-new instrument panel as a component of their updated interior styling for modern vehicles. Its actual name is BMW Live Professional Cockpit, and it and BMW iDrive 7 are offered as extras on the majority of models. You may have noticed from my critiques of the new system that I’m not exactly a fan, but given the abundance of information at our disposal now, I do recognize the need for a digital display.
Even though BMW is only doing what it can, I still believe the counterclockwise rev counter is a mistake, especially for a company that takes great pleasure in the handling of its vehicles. Another issue I had was that occasionally the display simply had too much going on, making it difficult to see the information. Because BMW paid attention, you can now configure your screen to just display the information you want.
The coolest part of it all is that the instrument cluster now has a “reduced mode” that essentially restricts the information displayed to the gear you’re using and the pace you’re traveling at. When the driving aides are on, it can also show you the map in the center or the vehicles nearby if you like. In addition, you eliminate all the extraneous data that would otherwise clutter the cluster.
You may learn how to enable the “reduced mode” in the video below, along with other fascinating hints and suggestions. The speedometer, for instance, has readings in both mph and kilometers per hour. You must navigate to Settings – Car – Displays – Instrument cluster in order to make any adjustments. In that sub-menu, you’ll discover everything you require, and you can customize anything to your preferences. The best feature of the new system is that if there are two or more users operating the same vehicle, they may each save their preferred settings in their user profiles to avoid having to make adjustments constantly.
How to modify the settings for your Head-Up Display in BMW Operating System 7
You can learn where and how to modify the settings of your Head-Up Display in this video from BMW How-To.
Your BMW’s Head-Up Display may broadcast critical information into the driver’s field of view depending on the model.
It may be located at the top of your dashboard, projecting it into the windshield, depending on the model.
You can turn it on or off in BMWs with Operating System 7 by selecting “CAR,” “Settings,” “Displays,” and “Head-up display,” then checking the appropriate option. Although it can also be manually changed under “Brightness,” the brightness adjusts itself automatically to the surrounding light. Press “Height” and make changes until you reach the correct height. With the memory function, the Head-Up Display’s height will also be saved. To rotate the Head-Up Display, select “Rotation.” In this approach, sunglasses with specific polarization filters can see the Head-Up Display.
What does a BMW head-up display do?
The BMW head-up display is a transparent screen that is mounted on the windshield and projected information directly into the driver’s field of vision. It was designed to help keep drivers’ attention on the road, but it actually cuts the time needed to take in information by more than half when compared to simply scanning the cockpit or the primary BMW iDrive screen. Anyone who pushes their car to the limit appreciates that function in particular when traveling quickly.
The following information may be displayed on your BMW head-up display depending on your vehicle type and the extras you choose:
- RPM
- Automobile Status
- Warning Signals
- Collision Alert
- Turn-by-Turn Navigational Instructions
- Information about calls and phones
- Menu for Entertainment
- Verify Control message
- The Lane Guide
- Road Tempo
- Limits on speed
- Limitations on passing
- Cruise Control Active
You can use your BMW head-up display to warn you about approaching pedestrians if your vehicle also has BMW Night Vision.
When was BMW’s Heads Up Display introduced?
In 2004, when it became a feature of BMW ConnectedDrive for the 5-Series, BMW became the first European automaker to provide a head-up display. Originally meant to display a car’s speed, head-up displays are now utilized to give a lot more information, including navigation instructions.
Most BMW models now come with a Head-Up Display, which has evolved significantly over time to display information in full color for drivers’ convenience.
According to research, it takes a typical driver a full second to glance at a navigation display or read the speedometer. When a vehicle is moving at 30 mph through an urban area while the driver is preoccupied and not paying attention to the road, it travels about 14 yards, during which time a lot can happen suddenly.
According to BMW, a head-up display reduces the amount of time a driver has to process information, making for safer driving. Only the driver can see the virtual picture that is projected onto the glass; it appears to be “hovering” at eye level above the hood. Additionally, studies suggest that this type of display is less taxing on the eye because it does not require the eye to switch between near and far vision all the time.
Can the BMW dashboard be upgraded?
You can always locate an upgrade from BimmerTech if your car didn’t come with the iDrive display you’d always wanted out of the box.
Check out our 6WB BMW OEM digital cluster if you want to replace your outdated instrument panel with something more cutting-edge. It will dramatically transform the interior design of your vehicle. The digital gauge cluster presents the driving experience visually in a special way because it changes appearances depending on the driving mode (Comfort, ECO PRO, Sport, and Sport+). Information from the driver aid systems and navigation instructions are also shown in this dynamic digital cluster. The new bespoke gauges cluster significantly improves your driving’s comfort, enjoyment, and safety with these features. If you’re not a fan of such radical technological improvements, you might want to think about getting your BMW a 6WA half-digital instrument cluster.
BimmerTech provides an 8’8″ iDrive screen for customers “Upgrade kit for VividScreen that seamlessly works with the original BMW system. It is intended for vehicles with older systems, not touch screens or split screens for iDrive, therefore only BMWs with 6 “It is compatible with displays.
The virtual cockpit changes significantly after VividScreen installation, resembling having a new automobile (absolutely worth it!). Even though your car wasn’t previously compatible with VividScreen Apple TV 4, the nicest part about this retrofit is that you will be able to use its features (Apple TV4 is not included into the kit by default).
Whether you want to upgrade your iDrive screen or get a new digital dash, the kit built for your particular car will have all the pieces you need to plug it in and start using it right away. Enter your VIN to learn which retrofit is appropriate for your car and how much it will cost.
My BMW’s infotainment system can it be upgraded?
As long as their vehicle has a Combox, which works with iDrive and improves numerous technological aspects in your BMW, any owner can perform this type of upgrade themselves. Combox functionality is included into more recent NBT and iDrive systems, making things even simpler.
How do I add photos to my BMW iDrive?
Connected Drive by BMW. To do this, open the My BMW App and select the “Profile tab.” click the profile picture > select a photo taken with a smartphone or upload one > allowing access to your camera or photo collection choose a personal image or take a picture > in the My BMW App, select “Completed” The chosen profile picture has loaded.
Can my 2014 BMW have Apple CarPlay installed?
Because the NBT Evo head unit with ID5 or ID6 software is required, BMW Apple CarPlay compatibility is constrained. In other words, your BMW need the most recent operating system and on-board computer. Even if your car was made in 2016, 2015, or 2014 and has modern technologies, it might only have ID4 hardware or normal NBT, which is outdated head unit hardware.
If your BMW has a head unit that is suitable, BimmerTech can activate the software to make Apple CarPlay available. If your car does not already have a WiFi antenna, you might need to add one in specific circumstances to enable the establishment of a wireless connection between your iPhone and BMW head unit. If your BMW requires one, you may check here and get it from us. Contrary to BMW, BimmerTech can activate BMW CarPlay even if your nation is not listed in Apple CarPlay’s availability list if the necessary hardware is installed in your car.
Regarding the Apple CarPlay subscription, BMW confirmed in December 2019 that owners of 2019/2020 models with the most recent iDrive 7.0 software would not be required to pay any fees. Of course, that only applies to 2018 models of newer autos. A one-time $300 fee will be applied to older BMW models (like an earlier lifetime subscription). However, 2020 and later BMW models are moving forward rather than backward by finally providing free BMW CarPlay.
There are still two options to upgrade your BMW if the initial BMW Apple CarPlay activation is not supported by your car.
Use of Android Auto by BMW?
You also need a smartphone that is compatible, which must be:
- any smartphone equipped with 5GHz Wi-Fi and Android 11.0. To utilize 5GHz Wi-Fi in the automobile in the EU, smartphones must adhere to new regulatory criteria.
- or an Android 10.0-powered smartphone from Google or Samsung.
Head-up display retrofit is possible.
Cars have become progressively more feature-rich in recent years. A automobile can no longer simply transport you from point A to point B. To be considered seriously, it needs to have a Head-Up Display, a digital cockpit, and all available safety aides.
But do we actually require these features? It’s a pretty good bet that you don’t actually understand how most of them work, like the Head-Up Display. Therefore, we decided to attempt and explain. How do Head-Up Displays function?
So how exactly does it operate? Information is essentially projected onto your windscreen by a head-up display. In addition to your windshield, it typically consists of image-giving, optical, and image-receiving components. The optical component projects the picture, video, or animation created by the imaging components onto the windscreen.
You should be aware that numerous different technologies are in use here. These displays can function independently or in conjunction with other devices, such as a smartphone, and are utilized in both modern automobile models and airplanes.
The Head-Up Display, or HUD for short, is not actually a recent development, as you may not be aware. In terms of technology, we can essentially say that it has almost reached middle age and can undoubtedly prove to be a significant enhancement for any car. Today, it is becoming a very frequent fitting in the majority of new cars.
But don’t worry, a Head-Up Display can actually be installed, so you don’t even need to buy a new car to obtain one!
We’ll also discover the different types of Head-Up Displays available and how to retrofit them. Since there are several options, we have also spoken about what the TUV suggests in this situation.