Seats — description and adjustment (BMW 5 Series E39)

The seats, as a vital element in the chain that connects man, chassis and road, were developed with particular care, using the most modern methods, such as CAD (automated design systems), finite element methods, as well as electronically controlled control systems.

The degree of shock absorption from the road has been carefully matched to the characteristics of the chassis. The stable supporting structure of the seats, together with the seat belts, belt tensioners and, of course, the airbags, ensures the highest level of safety. Thanks to the multi-layer structure of the seat padding, the high percentage of natural fibres and the sophisticated internal ventilation system of the seat, the occupant feels relaxed and does not get tired while driving - even on long journeys. The lumbar and shoulder supports ensure an optimal position of the spine.

Seat adjustment

For your personal safety, we ask you to follow these seat adjustment rules. Do not adjust the driver's seat while driving. Unexpected movement may cause loss of control over the vehicle and lead to an accident. The seat belt should fit as tightly as possible to the body. Otherwise, in a frontal collision, the lap belt may slip up the thighs and injure the lower abdomen. In addition, if the belt is not tightly fitted, its restraining effect is realized with a delay.

It is not permissible for the back of the front seat to recline too far back while the vehicle is moving (this applies primarily to the passenger seat), since in the event of an accident there is a risk of a person "slipping" under the seat belt, which in this case will not be able to perform its protective function.



The front seats must not be moved back if the vehicle is moving downhill (for example, on the ramp of a multi-story garage or on mountain roads), since this may cause the automatic belt height adjustment system to become uncoupled.

Manually adjustable seats

1. Longitudinal adjustment. Pull the handle and move the seat to a comfortable position. Release the handle and gently rock the seat back and forth until it locks securely.

2. Height adjustment: Pull the handle to adjust the height of the seat by loading the cushion with your own weight or by standing up.



3. Backrest adjustment. Pull the handle to adjust the backrest angle by leaning back or forward

4. Adjusting the angle of the pillow (for driver's seat only). Pull the handle to move the cushion to the desired position.



To relieve the spinal discs, sit with the maximum shift back, leaning your entire back on the seat back. The ideal position is considered to be one in which the head is in a straight line with the spine.

To reduce muscle tension during long journeys, you can slightly increase the tilt of the backrest. However, it should still be possible to control the car with your arms slightly bent at the elbows, resting on the highest point of the steering wheel.

Lumbar support

See description of signature premium seat below.

Headrests

The headrests can be adjusted in height by pulling them out of their sockets or pushing them back in.

The tilt of the headrests can be adjusted by rotating them around the horizontal axis.

Head restraints reduce the traumatic effects of accidents on the cervical vertebrae.

The center of the headrests should be approximately at ear level.

Sports type seats

This seat has the additional ability to adjust the thigh support.



Pull the handle to set the popliteal support to a position that is comfortable for you.

Electrically adjustable seat

For your personal safety, be sure to follow the adjustment instructions above.

Branded comfort type seat

This seat also features adjustable lumbar and shoulder support.

1. Lumbar support

By pressing the switch at the front or back, the convexity of the backrest contour is increased or decreased, respectively.

When you press the top or bottom of the switch, the convex area of the contour moves up or down.



The contour of the back can be modified so that its protruding part fits into the hollow of the lumbar spine, creating support for it.

This provides support for the upper pelvis and spine, facilitating a correct and free posture.

2. Shoulder support

Pressing the two-position switch changes the angle of the upper part of the backrest.

Thanks to this adjustment, the back is supported in the shoulder area as well. This makes the seating position freer and relieves the shoulder muscles.

The installation of the seats will be optimal if the recommendations below are followed.

For the driver and front passenger:

1. Move the upper part of the backrest back as far as possible.

2. Adjust the seat to the optimal position as described above.

3. Move the upper part of the backrest forward, creating a comfortable support for the shoulders. For the front passenger with the backrest tilted back:



1. Pull the top part of the back to the thread back.

2. Increase the tilt of the pillow slightly.

3. Increase the backrest tilt slightly.

4. Move the upper part of the backrest forward.

When changing the longitudinal position of the seat, ensure that the seat belt, as before, fits snugly against the body, otherwise it will not be able to perform its protective function.

Heated seats

To heat the seat cushion and backrest, first turn the ignition key to position 2. To turn on and off, press the key.

When the seat heating is on, a green indicator lamp built into the button lights up.

The heating intensity is set by a knurled wheel - regulation occurs in thermostatic mode.