BMW 5 Series 2020-2023 Indicator Light and Instrument Cluster User Manual
Introduction
The BMW 5 Series has always been synonymous with elegance, performance, and cutting-edge technology. As one of the flagship luxury sedans in BMW’s lineup, the 5 Series continues to raise the bar with its exceptional craftsmanship, powerful engines, and a host of advanced features. Among these features, the indicator lights and instrument cluster play a crucial role in providing drivers with essential information about the vehicle’s status and safety. In this introduction, we will explore the innovative indicator lights and instrument cluster of the BMW 5 Series 2020-2023 model, highlighting their functionality, design, and contribution to a seamless driving experience.
- The Instrument Cluster: A Window into the Vehicle’s Soul
At the heart of the BMW 5 Series’ dashboard lies the instrument cluster, a digital display that presents vital information to the driver in a clear and intuitive manner. This high-resolution screen provides an array of customizable options, allowing the driver to personalize the display according to their preferences. From the classic analog dials to the modern digital readouts, the instrument cluster adapts seamlessly to the driver’s needs, ensuring that all essential information is readily available at a glance. - Indicators: Communicating Safety and Performance
The indicator lights of the BMW 5 Series 2020-2023 model are meticulously designed to communicate crucial information to the driver, ensuring both safety and optimal performance. These indicators are strategically placed within the instrument cluster, alerting the driver to various vehicle conditions and potential issues. From standard warnings such as low fuel and seatbelt reminders to advanced safety features like lane departure warnings and collision alerts, the indicator lights serve as an essential communication channel between the vehicle and its driver. - Safety Features and Warning Lights
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Indicator:
The ACC indicator light informs the driver when the adaptive cruise control system is active. This feature helps maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, automatically adjusting the speed of the BMW 5 Series.
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Indicator:
LDW indicator light alerts the driver when the vehicle deviates from its lane without using the turn signal. This warning contributes to preventing potential accidents caused by unintentional lane drifting. - Collision Warning Indicator:
The collision warning indicator illuminates when the BMW 5 Series detects an imminent collision with the vehicle ahead. It works in conjunction with advanced sensors and radar technology to provide an extra layer of safety. - Blind Spot Monitoring Indicator:
The blind spot monitoring indicator alerts the driver to the presence of vehicles in the blind spots. This feature enhances driver awareness and helps prevent accidents during lane changes or merging maneuvers. - Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Indicator:
The TPMS indicator light informs the driver if any of the tires have low pressure, ensuring optimal tire performance and reducing the risk of blowouts or reduced handling capabilities. - Enhanced User Experience and Connectivity
In addition to safety features, the indicator lights and instrument cluster in the BMW 5 Series 2020-2023 model contribute to an enhanced user experience and connectivity. With BMW’s advanced infotainment system, the instrument cluster seamlessly integrates with multimedia functions, navigation, and smartphone connectivity. This integration allows drivers to access essential information and control various vehicle settings without distractions, ensuring a seamless and intuitive driving experience.
Conclusion:
The BMW 5 Series 2020-2023 model sets new standards for luxury sedans, and its indicator lights and instrument cluster are an integral part of its advanced technology and safety features. With their intuitive design, customizable options, and crucial information relay, the indicator lights and instrument cluster contribute to a safer and more enjoyable driving
Indicator Light in the Instrument Cluster
The yellow indicator light illuminates, once the fuel reserve is reached.
Tachometer
General information
Always avoid RPM in the red warning field. In this range, the fuel supply is reduced to protect the engine.
Activating/deactivating
- “CAR”
- “Settings”
- “Displays”
- “Instrument panel”
- “Engine display”
- “Tachometer”
When the setting for the driving mode view is activated, the activated tachometer is only shown in the COMFORT or SPORT driving mode.
Power Gauge
Principle
The display indicates the drive power available as a percentage of its total power.
Activate/deactivate
- “CAR”
- “Settings”
- “Displays”
- “Instrument panel”
- “Engine display”
- “Power meter”
When the setting for the driving mode view is activated, the activated power gauge is only shown in the COMFORT driving mode.
Display
Pointer in the area of arrow 1: display of the energy recovered by coasting or when decelerating, CHARGE.
Pointer in the area of arrow 2: output in percent, POWER.
Drive power
The available drive power may be reduced due to certain factors, for instance a cold engine. De‐pending on the available drive power, the range for POWER is adjusted automatically.
If needed, icons in the power gauge indicate a reduction of the drive power.
Example symbol : Description
Reduced drive power due to a cold drivetrain.
Reduced drive power due to an overheated drivetrain.
Shift Lights
Principle
The Shift lights in the instrument cluster indicate the maximum shift point at which the best possible‐ acceleration can be achieved.
General information
Depending on the equipment and national-market version, the Shift lights are active in the M manual mode of the Steptronic Sport transmission and with manual transmission.
Functional requirement
- Depending on the equipment, either driving program SPORT or SPORT PLUS is activated.
Head-up display is switched off or the display of the Shift lights in the Head-up display is deactivated.
Turning on/turning off
Steptronic Sport transmission:
- If applicable, select SPORT or SPORT PLUS driving mode.
Press Driving Dynamics Control. - Activate the M manual mode of the transmission.
Display
Full Black Panel Display.
Information about the driving style
- Current engine speed is displayed in the tachometer.
Arrow 1: successive yellow illuminated fields indicate an increase in the speed.
Arrow 2: successive orange illuminated fields indicate the upcoming shift moment.
Arrow 3: the field lights up red. Do not wait any further to shift.
When the maximum speed is reached, the entire display flashes red and the fuel supply is inter‐rupted in order to protect the engine.
Standby state and drive
ready state
The lettering OFF in the instrument cluster indicates that drive-ready state is switched off and standby state is switched on.
The letters READY in the instrument cluster indicate that the drive readiness is turned on and the Auto Start/Stop function is ready to start the engine automatically.
Additional information:
Operating state of the vehicle, refer to page 39.
Engine oil temperature
Display
- Cold engine: the pointer is at the low temperature end. Drive at moderate RPM and vehicle speeds.
Normal operating temperature: the pointer is in the middle or in the lower half of the temperature display. - Hot engine: the pointer is at the high end of the temperature range. In addition, a Check Control message is displayed.
Additional information:
Coolant level, refer to page 365.
Indicator light in the instrument cluster
A red indicator light is displayed.
Outside Temperature
General information
If the indicator drops to +37 ℉/+3 ℃ or lower, a signal sounds.
A Check Control message is displayed.
There is an increased risk of ice on roads.
Safety information
Warning
Even at temperatures above +37 ℉/+3 ℃there can be a risk of icy roads, for instance on bridges or shady sections of the road. There is a risk of accident. Modify your driving style to the weather conditions at low temperatures.
Range
Principle
The range indicates the distance that can still be covered with the current full tank of fuel.
General information
The estimated range available with the remaining fuel is permanently displayed in the instrument cluster.
With a low remaining range, a Check Control message is briefly displayed. With a sporty driving style, for instance fast cornering, the engine function is not always ensured.
The Check Control message appears continuously below a range of approx. 30 miles/50 km.
Safety information
NOTICE
With a driving distance of less than 30 miles/50 km the engine may no longer have sufficient fuel. Engine functions are not ensured anymore. There is a risk of damage to property, among other potential damage. Re‐fuel promptly.
Display
The current range is displayed as numerical value next to the fuel gauge.
Service notifications
Principle
The function displays the service notifications and the corresponding maintenance scopes.
General information
After switching on drive-ready state, the instrument cluster briefly displays available driving distance or time to the next scheduled maintenance.
A service advisor can read out the current service notifications from your vehicle key.
Some information on service notifications can also be shown on the BMW display key.
Display
Detailed information on service notifications
More information on the type of service required may be displayed on the Control Display.
- “CAR”
- “Vehicle status”
- “Required services”
Maintenance work and legally mandated inspections are displayed. - Select an entry to call up detailed information.
Symbols
Symbols Description :
No service is currently required.
The time for recommended maintenance or a legally mandated inspection is approaching.
Service interval is exceeded.
Entering appointment dates
Enter the dates for the mandatory vehicle inspections.
Make sure that the vehicle’s date and time are set correctly.
- “CAR”
- “Vehicle status”
- “Required services”
“Vehicle inspection” - “Date:”
Select the desired setting.
Gear shift indicator
Principle
The gear shift indicator recommends the most efficient gear for the current driving situation.
General information
Depending on the vehicle equipment and country version, the gear shift indicator is active in the M manual mode of the Steptronic transmission and with manual transmission.
Steptronic transmission: displaying
Suggestions to shift up or down are displayed in the instrument cluster.
On vehicles without a gear shift indicator, the engaged gear is displayed.
Example Description
Efficient gear is set.
Shift into efficient gear.
Speed Limit Info
Speed Limit Info
Principle
Speed Limit Info shows the currently valid speed limit in the instrument cluster and, if necessary, the Head-up Display.
General information
The camera in the area of the interior mirror detects traffic signs at the edge of the road as well as overhead sign posts.
Traffic signs with extra symbols are considered and compared with the vehicle’s onboard data.
The traffic sign will then be either displayed or ignored depending on the situation in the instrument cluster and the Head-up Display.
With the navigation system, the system takes into account the information stored in the navigation data and also displays speed limits present on routes without signs.
Without a navigation system, the system is subject to limitations imposed by technology. Traffic signs with speed limitations are detected and displayed only. Speed limitations due to entering or exiting towns, highway signs, etc. are not dis‐played. Speed limits with extra text characters are always displayed.
Safety information
Warning
The system cannot serve as a substitute for the driver’s personal judgment in assessing visibility and traffic situation. There is a risk of accident. Adjust driving style to traffic conditions. Watch traffic closely and actively intervene where appropriate.
Overview
Sensors
The system is controlled by the following sensors:
- Cameras behind the windshield. Additional information:
Sensors of the vehicle, refer to page 35.
Displaying Speed Limit Info
General information
Depending on the vehicle equipment, Speed Limit Info is displayed permanently in the instrument cluster or via iDrive.
Activating
- “CAR”
- “Settings”
- “Driver Assistance”
- If necessary, “Driving”
- “Speed Limit Assistance”
- “Speed limits”
- “Show current limit”
Display Speed
Limit Info
Current speed limit.
Without a navigation system the traffic signals are grayed out after curves or longer stretches of roadway.
Depending on the equipment, Speed Limit Info not available.
If the detected speed limit has been exceeded, the indicator light will flash.
Settings
- “CAR”
- “Settings”
- “Driver Assistance”
- If necessary, “Driving”
- “Speed Limit Assistance”
- Select the desired setting:
- “Warn when speeding”: activate/deactivate the flashing of the Speed Limit Info display in the instrument cluster and,
where applicable, the Head-up Display when the currently valid speed limit is exceeded. The warning that is issued when a speed limit is exceeded may depend on the Speed Limit Assistant settings.
- “Excess speed display”: the speed limit that is detected by the Speed Limit Info is displayed with a marking in the speedometer in the instrument cluster.
System limits
System limits of the sensors
Additional information:
- Cameras, refer to page 35.
Functional limitations
The system may not be fully functional and may provide incorrect information in the following situations:
- When traffic signs are fully or partially concealed by objects, stickers or paint.
When driving very close to the vehicle in front of you.
In the case of navigation data that is invalid, outdated or not available.
In areas not covered by the navigation system.
When roads differ from the navigation, such as due to changes in road layout.
In case of electronic traffic signs.
When passing buses or trucks with traffic signs applied to them.
When the traffic signs do not correspond to the standard.
When traffic signs that are valid for a parallel road are detected.
In the presence of country-specific road signs or road layouts.
Selection lists
Concept
Lists can be displayed and, if necessary, used for certain functions in the instrument cluster or the Head-up Display.
- Entertainment source.
Current audio source.
List of most recent telephone calls.
If necessary, the corresponding menu will open on the Control Display.
Display
Depending on the equipment version, the list in the instrument cluster may differ from the illustration.
Displaying and using the list
The lists can be displayed and operated using the buttons on the steering wheel.
Button Function
Change the entertainment source.
Pressing the button again will close the currently displayed list.
Show list of most recent telephone calls.
Turn the thumbwheel to select the desired setting.
Press the thumbwheel to confirm the setting.
The list of the current entertainment source can be displayed in the instrument cluster again by turning the thumbwheel.
Trip data
Principle
Values for the trip, such as the average consumption or trip kilometers, are displayed.
General information
The trip data can be displayed on the Control Display and in the instrument cluster.
The values can be displayed and reset depending on various intervals, such as after refueling.
Display on the Control Display
Overview
The following information is displayed depending on the equipment and the set interval and driving mode:
- Configured interval for displaying trip data.
Average fuel consumption depending on the configured interval.
Average speed. - Total time for shut off engine through the Auto Start/Stop function.
Distance traveled in Coasting mode.
Consumption history in form of a chart.
Displays
- “CAR”
- “Driving information”
- “Trip data”
Consumption history
The average consumption is shown in the consumption history in form of a chart based on the distance traveled and the driving mode.
Display in the instrument cluster
Depending on the equipment, information about the route can be displayed as widget in the instrument cluster.
The following information is displayed:
- Total kilometers.
- Configured interval for displaying trip data.
- Distance traveled depending on the configured interval.
- Average speed.
Selecting and setting widgets in the instrument cluster.
Additional information:
Widgets, refer to page 155.
Adjusting the display of the trip data
The intervals for the display of the trip data in the instrument cluster and on the Control Display are adjustable.
- “CAR”
- Driving information”
- Trip data”
- “Data since”
- Select the desired setting:
- “Start of trip ( )”: the values are automatically reset approx. four hours after the vehicle has come to a standstill.
“Refueling ( )”: the values are automatically reset after refueling with a larger quantity of fuel. - “Factory”: Average consumption since delivery from the factory.
The values since the time of the factory delivery are displayed. - “Individual ( )”: the values since the last manual reset are displayed. The values can be reset at any time.
Resetting average values manually
The following interval can be reset manually at any time: “Individual ( )”.
With the button on the turn signal lever:
- Continue to press the button on the turn signal lever until the widget for the trip data is selected.
- Press and hold the button on the turn signal lever.
Via iDrive:
- “CAR”
- “Driving information”
- “Trip data”
- “Data since”
- “Reset individual”
The average values and counters are reset. Once the average values and counters have been reset, the following interval is automatically set: “Individual ( )”.
FAQs
- What are the indicator lights on the BMW 5 Series instrument cluster?
The instrument cluster’s indicator lights provide a variety of alerts, including low fuel, low tyre pressure, engine problems, and other crucial notifications. - How can I identify a warning indicator light on the instrument cluster?
Warning indicator lights are typically red or yellow and come with a symbol or text that describes the problem or system they are intended to alert about. - What does the red exclamation mark symbol mean on the instrument cluster?
The red exclamation mark typically indicates a serious warning, such as low brake fluid, low oil pressure, or a braking system malfunction. There is an urgent need for attention. - What does the yellow engine-shaped warning light indicate?
A problem or defect with the engine or any of its related components is indicated by the yellow check engine light, also known as the warning light in the shape of an engine. It is advised to have the car examined by a trained mechanic. - What does the ABS warning light mean?
When there is a problem with the ABS system, the warning light for the anti-lock braking system illuminates. By preventing wheel lock-up while braking, the ABS improves stability and control. - What does the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) light indicate?
When one or more tyres have significantly low tyre pressure or if there is a problem with the TPMS system, the TPMS light will let you know. Verify and correct tyre pressure as necessary. - What does the oil can symbol with a drop mean?
Low engine oil pressure is indicated by the oil can symbol with a drop. As soon as it is safe to do so, you must stop the car and check the oil level. Running the engine with insufficient oil pressure can seriously harm it. - What does the battery warning light represent?
A malfunction with the battery or the charging system is indicated by the battery warning light. It might mean the alternator is broken, the battery connections are loose, or the battery is weak. Have a professional inspect it. - What does the yellow triangle with an exclamation mark mean?
The yellow triangle with an exclamation point typically denotes a general warning or a problem with one of the driver assistance systems, like the stability control or traction control. It is suggested that you have it inspected. - What does the ECO PRO mode light indicate?
When the vehicle is in ECO PRO mode, a driving mode that optimizes fuel efficiency by modifying various vehicle settings, the ECO PRO mode light turns on. - What does the cruise control indicator light look like?
The speedometer icon is displayed as a green symbol on the cruise control indicator light. It shows that the cruise control system is on and keeping the speed target constant. - What does the lane departure warning (LDW) light mean?
The vehicle’s lane departure warning system detects when the vehicle is unintentionally drifting out of its lane without signaling, at which point the lane departure warning light illuminates. - What does the automatic high beams (AHB) indicator light look like?
A blue symbol of a headlight beam appears as the automatic high beams indicator light. It shows that the automatic high beam system of the car is engaged and adjusting the headlight brightness according to the ambient light. - How do I reset the service indicator lights on the instrument cluster?
Depending on the specific model year and trim level, the procedure for resetting the service indicator lights may differ.
Useful Links
View Full User Guide: BMW 5 Series 2020-2023 User Manual | Auto User Guide
Download Manuals: BMW Owner’s Manuals – BMW USA | BMW