BMW 7 Series: Principles Of Operation

Instrument Cluster

The instrument cluster receives information on the wiring harness in the form of analog and digital electrical signals. These signals are processed and displayed in the instrument cluster or passed on as information to other control units.

On the new BMW 7 Series F01/F02, the instrument cluster has a number of functions that are new to BMW or have changed in relation to existing BMW models.

Black Panel Technology

The F01/F02 is the first BMW vehicle to utilize Black Panel technology. This is a panel, the back of which is coated with black film that virtually covers the entire surface portion of the instrument cluster.

Black Panel technology is used on the instrument cluster, control panels for IHKA/AUDIO and FKA.

On the instrument cluster, the area that is not covered by the Black Panel is designed in such a way that the symbols of the lamps are not visible when switched off.

The Black Panel surface appears homogeneously dark, which means that no details from the background area can be detected.

The two large accentuating rings for the speedometer and tachometer and two small dial areas for the fuel gauge and oil temperature are galvanized.

Fig. 7: Instrument Cluster Display For Off Position

Instrument Cluster - Off

When the instrument cluster is switched off, the analog indicators are at their zero point, the active area of the display is switched off and the rings in the display area are not closed.

Fig. 8: Instrument Cluster Display For Vehicle Awake Position

Instrument Cluster - Vehicle Awake

When the vehicle is awake, the analog indicators are at their zero point, the active area of the display is switched on only to complete the lower portion of the rings in the display area.

NOTE: The control panels for the integrated automatic air-conditioning system (IHKA), AUDIO and rear automatic heater/air conditioner (FKA) are also designed in this new technology.

TFT Display

A horizontal TFT display with a resolution of 960 x 160 pixels is integrated in the instrument cluster underneath the dials.

The large mechanical, analog dials are open at the bottom. These dials are closed by graphics. The graphics are displayed digitally and contain specific functional indicators such as the range or current consumption.

The display enables the prioritization of information with the following representations:

• under right dial - display of audio and telephone lists that can be operated via the multifunction display, MFL
• under left dial - display of longer, two-line Check Control texts
• center display area - the navigation information, including other navigation texts under the left-hand and right-hand dial.

This structure of the instrument cluster enables flexible use of the display area and keeps the signature BMW appearance for the large dials for road speed and engine speed.

The most important information that appears depending on the content and prioritization is:

• Navigation display
• Voice input acknowledgement
• Traffic information
• Infotainment (audio and telephone)
• Check Control messages
• Acknowledgments of assistance systems.

The background image is activated in orange and is always displayed as soon as anything appears in the display.

Schematic Breakdown of the Display Area

The graphic in the page below shows the schematic breakdown of the display area in the instrument cluster.

Nighttime design is activated in the display when the parking lights or headlights are on.

Daytime-nighttime Design

The daytime-nighttime design differs with regard to the color assignment of some text and graphic elements.

Fig. 9: Display Indicators For Nighttime Design

Fig. 10: Display Indicators For Daytime Design

The following displays change from white to orange:

• Scales and scale lettering of the large and small dials
• Basic indicators, e.g. time, outside temperature
• Gear indicators
• On-board computer and navigation displays
• CC texts and texts for operation acknowledgments
• Text and line for rear seat belt status

Under the following conditions, nighttime design is activated in the display:

• Side lights ON
• Low-beam headlights ON, in darkness or in a tunnel.

NOTE: The texts in the CBS reset menu and the test functions are always in white, independently of the daytime/nighttime view.

Schematic Breakdown of the Display Area

The following graphic shows the schematic breakdown of the display area in the instrument cluster.

Fig. 11: Schematic Breakdown Of Display Area On Instrument Cluster

DISPLAY AREA BREAKDOWN DESCRIPTION CHART

1. Two-color flush-mounted pointer
2. FAS status indicator
   FAS information
   FAS warnings
3. Rear seat belt status
   Entertainment (symbols)
   Communication (symbols)
   PTT acknowledgement (symbols)
4. Fuel consumption indicator (analog)
   Gearbox position
   Manual gear indicator
   Shift recommendation
   Display FDS menu
   Automatic engine start-stop function
5. Entertainment lists
   FDS menu
   Navigation "Coming Road"
6. Navigation (junction view)
   Lane Guiding
   Condition Based Service
   Test menu
7. Check Control messages
   Operation acknowledgments
   Traffic information
   Navigation (Distance to Junction)
8. Range (analog and digital)
   On-board computer
   Operation acknowledgments (symbols)
   Speed Limit Info
9. Check Control (symbol)
   Traffic information (symbols)
10. Reset button
    Trip distance recorder

On-board Computer

On-board computer function in the instrument cluster.

The on-board computer functions can be called up by briefly pressing the on-board computer button on the steering column stalk.

Pressing the on-board computer button again displays information in the following order:

• Range
• Average fuel consumption
• Average speed
• Distance (Nav destination entered)
• Estimated time of arrival (Nav destination entered)
• Date

Fig. 12: Identifying On-Board Computer, High Beam Assistance Button And Left Stalk Switch

STEERING COLUMN STALK LEGENDS

1. On-board Computer Button
2. High Beam Assistance Button
3. Left Stalk switch

Fig. 13: Display Range, Average Fuel Consumption, Speed, Distance, Time Of Arrival And Date

ON-BOARD COMPUTER FUNCTIONS REFERENCE CHART

1. Range: If the value displayed for the range is greater than the highest value on the scale, the analog indicator is on the right-hand edge of the scale. The digital indicator shows the current value.
2. Average fuel consumption: The display is a maximum of 2 digits plus one decimal place in US mpg.
3. Average speed: The display is a maximum of 3 digits plus one decimal place in US mph.
4. Distance (Nav destination entered): In addition to the 4-digit display of the digital distance value, the distance to the destination is shown in the analog range display as a dot. Distances are always shown without decimal places.
5. Estimated time of arrival (Nav destination entered): In addition to the display of the estimated time of arrival, the distance to the destination is shown in the analog range display as a dot.
6. Date: The date is always shown with a leading "0" and with the last two numbers of the year.

Low Range Warning

If the range is too low, the driver is given a visual warning.

The analog bar gauge and the bar background change color from orange to yellow. The range appears in numbers, overlaying any other on-board computer displays.

The range can be called up by pressing the on-board computer button again.

Fig. 14: Display Low Range Warning

Operation Acknowledgments

Operation acknowledgments are shown for 6 seconds in the display area in the left-hand dial. These are overlaid on top of the numerical range display and/or the on-board computer display as well as the average value of the range scale lettering. Any necessary supplementary texts are shown centrally below the dial; the basic indicator "Time" is then hidden.

Fig. 15: Display Operation Acknowledgments

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