2026 BMW 5 Series Head-Up Display User Guide
This guide delves into the innovative 2026 BMW 5 Series Head-Up Display, which is designed to boost driving confidence. Understand how this technology displays important information on the windshield.
Video: 2026 BMW 5 Series Dashboard Warning Indicators
BMW Head-up display
Principle
The Head-up display projects important infor-mation, e.g., speed, onto the windshield in the driver’s field of view. Information can be re-corded without you having to look away from the road.
The steering wheel buttons can be used to configure various views for the Head-up dis-play. More settings can be configured on the control display, e.g., brightness, height, or rota-tion.
General information
Follow instructions for cleaning the Head-up display in the Vehicle Care chapter.
Additional information:
Overview
Head-up display views are projected onto the windshield through a protective glass. The protective glass is located between the steering wheel and windshield.
Displayable information
The following information is displayed on the Head-up display:
- Vehicle speed.
- Navigation instructions.
- Check Control messages.
- Sport displays.
- Shift lights.
- Lists and messages.
- Driver assistance systems.
Some of this information is only displayed briefly as needed.
Configuring a view
The views for the Head-up display can be set independently of the display on the instrument cluster, e.g., a reduced view..
Press the button on the steering wheel.
A menu bar is displayed in the instrument cluster.- “HEAD-UP”
Select the menu using the arrow buttons on the steering wheel where applicable. - Select the desired setting using the knurled wheel on the steering wheel.
Turning the Head-up display on/off
Apps menu- Vehicle”
- “Displays”
- “Head-up display”
- Head-up display”
Settings
Individual settings can be entered for the Head-up display such as for the height, brightness or illustration. In addition, individual displays in the Head-up display can be set up separately such as for Driver Assistance.
- Apps menu
- “Vehicle”
- “Displays”
- “Head-up display”
- Select the desired setting.
Visibility of the display
The visibility of the displays in the Head-up display is influenced by the following factors:
- Seat position.
- Objects on the Head-up display’s protective glass.
- Dust or dirt on the Head-up display’s protective glass.
- Windshield dirty on inside or outside.
- Sunglasses with certain polarization filters.
- Wet road.
- Unfavorable light conditions.
If the image is distorted, have the basic settings checked by an authorized service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.
Special windshield
The windshield is part of the system.
The shape and coating of the special wind-shield enable the system to function.
If damaged, have the special windshield replaced by an authorized service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.
Check Control
Principle
The Check Control system monitors functions in the vehicle and notifies you of faults in the monitored systems.
A Check Control message is displayed as a combination of indicator lights or warning lights and text messages on the instrument cluster and, if applicable, on the Head-up display. In addition, an acoustic signal may sound and a text message may appear on the control display.
Some Check Control messages are hidden au-tomatically after approx. 20 seconds, but they will be stored. Stored Check Control messages can be displayed on the control display. Urgent Check Control messages are permanently displayed but may be hidden temporarily.
Hiding Check Control messages
Permanently displayed Check Control messages can be hidden temporarily. These messages are automatically displayed again after approx. 8 seconds.
An arrow icon next to the Check Control message indicates whether the Check Control message can be hidden.
Displaying stored Check Control
messages
Additional information such as the cause of a fault or the required action can be called up via Check Control.
Depending on the Check Control message, further help can be selected.
1. Apps menu
2. “Vehicle”
3. “Vehicle status”
4. “Check Control”
5. Select the desired text message.
Display
A Check Control message is displayed in the instrument cluster as a text message with an icon.
For urgent messages, an added text is automatically displayed on the control display.
If several faults occur at once, the messages are displayed consecutively.
Certain messages displayed while driving are displayed again after drive-ready state is switched off.
Icons in the instrument cluster indicate an active or saved Check Control message.
Useful Links:
2024 BMW 5 Series Review, Specs, Price and Mileage (Brochure)
2026 BMW 5 Series Warning and Indicator Lights User GUide
2026 BMW 5 Series Instrument Cluster User Guide