Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Head-up display: Introduction
The head-up display is used to display information relevant to driving the vehicle (e.g. navigation instructions, driving speed) in an ergonomically favorable position on the windscreen. Information appears as a virtual image approximately at the front of the bonnet.
Information relevant to driving the vehicle still appears in the customary manner in the instrument cluster and in the central information display.
The information displayed on the head-up display is independent of the equipment level. You can select the information using the controller on the Central Information Display (CID).
The following information can be shown on the head-up display:
- Check-Control messages
- Active Cruise Control (ACC) or cruise-control system (FGR)
- Navigation instructions
- Vehicle road speed
Benefits of the head-up display:
- Important information relevant to driving the vehicle can be received without the driver having to take his eyes off the road.
- This makes driving more relaxing. The eyes do not have to refocus as much or as frequently (i.e. when the eyes move from a wide view of the road to a small display in the instrument cluster).
The head-up display is employed for the first time as special equipment (option 610) on the E60.
Launch date is 11/2003.
The HUD of the E60 is identical to that of the E61.
The windscreens on the E63 and E64 are tilted more. The following modifications related to the HUD are therefore required for the E63/E64:
- Modified mirror set
- Modified integration into the instrument panel
The HUD in the E70 differs from the HUD in E60, E61, E63, E64 in the following respects:
- 2 mirrors instead of 4 mirrors
- Image orientation of the virtual image can be height-adjusted
- Head-up display can be adjusted without an adjustment tool (with BMW diagnosis system).
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.