BMW 5 Series: Alarm system

General information

When the vehicle is locked, the vehicle alarm system reacts to the following changes:

• Opening a door, the hood or the trunk lid.
• Movements in the car's interior.
• Changes in the vehicle tilt, for instance, during attempts at stealing a wheel or when towing the vehicle.
• Disconnected battery voltage.
• Improper use of the socket for OBD Onboard Diagnosis.
• Locking the vehicle while a device is connected to the socket for the OBD Onboard- Diagnosis. For socket for the OBD Onboard Diagnosis.

The alarm system signals these changes visually and acoustically:

• Acoustic alarm: Depending on local regulations, the acoustic alarm may be suppressed.
• Visual alarm: By flashing the exterior lighting.

Switching on/off

When you unlock and lock the vehicle, either with the vehicle key or via Comfort Access, the alarm system is switched off and on at the same time.

Opening the doors with the alarm system switched on

The alarm system is triggered when a door is opened if the door was unlocked using the integrated key in the door lock.

Switching off the alarm.

Opening the trunk lid with the alarm system switched on

The trunk lid can be opened even when the alarm system is switched on.

After the trunk lid is closed, it is locked and monitored again provided the doors are locked. The hazard warning system flashes once.

Panic mode

You can trigger the alarm system if you find yourself in a dangerous situation.

• Press the button on the vehicle key and hold for at least 3 seconds.
• Briefly press the button on the vehicle key three times in succession.

To switch off the alarm: press any button.

Indicator light on the interior mirror

• The indicator light flashes briefly every 2 seconds: The alarm system is switched on.
• Indicator light flashes for approx. 10 seconds, then it flashes briefly every 2 seconds: Interior motion sensor and tilt alarm sensor are not active, as doors, hood, or trunk lid are not correctly closed. Correctly closed access points are secured.

  When the still open access points are closed, the interior motion sensor and tilt alarm sensor will be switched on.

• The indicator light goes out after unlocking: The vehicle has not been tampered with.
• The indicator light flashes after unlocking until drive-ready state is switched on, but no longer than approx. 5 minutes: An alarm has been triggered.

Tilt alarm sensor

The tilt of the vehicle is monitored.

The alarm system responds in situations such as attempts to steal a wheel or when the vehicle is towed.

Interior motion sensor

The windows and the glass sunroof must be closed for the system to function properly.

Avoiding unintentional alarms

General information

The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor can trigger an alarm, although no unauthorized action occurred.

Possible situations for an unwanted alarm:

• In automatic vehicle washes.
• In duplex garages.
• During transport on trains carrying vehicles, at sea or on a trailer.
• With animals in the vehicle.
• When the vehicle is locked after start of fueling.

The tilt alarm sensor and the interior motion sensor can be switched off in such situations.

Switching off the tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor

Press the button on the vehicle key within 10 seconds as soon as the vehicle is locked.

The indicator light lights up for approx. 2 seconds and then continues to flash.

The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor are switched off until the vehicle is locked again.

Switching off the alarm

• Unlock the vehicle with the vehicle key.
• Unlock the vehicle with the integrated key and activate the drive-ready state via emergency detection of the vehicle key.
• With Comfort Access: when carrying the vehicle key, grasp the driver's door or front passenger door handle completely.

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